In a world abundant with cultural diversity and myriad belief systems, understanding each other’s sacred traditions serves as a unifying conduit toward universal brotherhood. On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, a few days ago, I had the privilege of exploring its rich significance. (For 2025, Rosh Hashanah ran from sunset on 22 September to nightfall on 24 September.) The insights were embraced warmly by friends from diverse faiths, not only in India but also across the globe.
Today, as we mark Yom Kippur (10 Tishrei) in 2025—observed from sunset on 1 October to nightfall on 2 October—I invite you to delve into another cornerstone of Jewish spirituality. This narrative aims to enlighten an Indian audience and its diaspora, who may be unfamiliar with this profound observance, whilst also offering a perspective that resonates with my Jewish friends and subscribers worldwide.
5 Ridiculous Representations of Mount Sinai in Art History | JewishBoston
Moses atop Mount Sinai. Representative painting.
The Biblical Roots of Yom Kippur
Moses and the Ten Commandments: The Spiritual Bedrock of Yom Kippur
On Yom Kippur, it’s said that Moses descended from Mount Sinai carrying with him the second set of Ten Commandments. These sacred tablets, bearing eternal principles such as “Honour your father and your mother” and “You shall not murder,” are considered cornerstones of ethical and spiritual conduct. They transcend cultural and religious boundaries, finding resonance in societies across the globe.
Moses himself is a figure of monumental significance, not just in Judaism but also in Christianity and Islam. Born in Egypt, he led the Israelites out of slavery and towards a life of divine purpose. Moses’ ethical leadership and spiritual wisdom are extolled in religious texts ranging from the Torah and the Bible to the Quran.
The Essence of Yom Kippur
The day on which Moses descended from Mount Sinai is pivotal in shaping the spiritual tenets of Yom Kippur, a day specially dedicated to atonement and divine closeness. On this significant occasion, the Israelites received God’s forgiveness for their past actions, actions that had deviated from their covenant with the Divine. This transformative episode serves as the cornerstone for Yom Kippur, setting it as a day of profound spiritual introspection, ethical recalibration, and a recommitment to leading a virtuous and righteous life.
Yom Kippur acts as a poignant reminder for humanity to consider those values that are universally respected, values encapsulated in the Ten Commandments that Moses delivered from Sinai. The festival offers a unique platform for the collective affirmation of shared ethical principles, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. In my perspective, the spirit of Yom Kippur has a resonance that reaches beyond the Jewish community; it invites each one of us, regardless of our faith or origin, to engage in meaningful reflection and to internalise the timeless wisdom and universal ethics that Moses bestowed upon the world.
Cosimo Rosselli: Moses and the Tables of the Law
Moses and the Tables of Law: Cosimo Rosselli.
The Essence of the Observance
Yom Kippur stands as the zenith of self-examination, repentance, and a profound quest for divine forgiveness within the Jewish spiritual calendar. The observance spans approximately 25 hours, commencing at sunset on the eve and concluding after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur itself. (In 2025: sunset 1 October to nightfall 2 October.) During this time, participants engage in a rigorous fast, abstaining from both food and water, an act that serves as an enduring testament to the human capability for sacrifice and endurance in the pursuit of spiritual elevation.
The day is punctuated by a sequence of concentrated prayer sessions and liturgical recitations, providing avenues for spiritual reflection, communal confession, and individual atonement. The series of prayers reach their emotional and spiritual apex in the ‘Ne’ila’ service, a powerful ritual that symbolically represents the ‘locking’ of the heavenly gates. This solemn moment marks the conclusion of Yom Kippur, and it’s believed to signify the sealing of each individual’s fate for the upcoming year. In this hour, congregants collectively hold their breath, metaphorically speaking, as they await divine judgement, hopeful that their prayers and acts of penitence have tipped the scales in their favour.
The intense fasting, soul-stirring prayers, and communal rituals collectively make Yom Kippur a deeply transformative experience. It offers each participant an opportunity not only for self-cleansing but also for renewing their social and spiritual contracts, both with God and their fellow humans.
The trauma of Israel’s Yom Kippur War was fully justified – The Jerusalem Post
Yom Kippur War, 1973.
The Shadow of the Yom Kippur War
While Yom Kippur is fundamentally a day of spiritual introspection and atonement, it’s also inextricably linked to the tumultuous events of the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The conflict erupted when Israel was attacked by a coalition of Arab states, led by Egypt and Syria, right during this sacred observance. Although caught off guard, Israel defended valiantly and managed to retain control of strategic areas, including the Golan Heights, despite facing initial setbacks there. The war resulted in considerable losses for all parties involved, leaving a lasting impact on the geopolitical fabric of the Middle East.
However, the conflict ultimately set the stage for subsequent diplomatic advancements, most notably the Camp David Accords in September 1978. These accords led to Egypt becoming the first Arab country to formally recognise Israel, serving as a milestone in Middle East diplomacy. In retrospect, these events underline the futility of armed conflict and underscore the immense value of peaceful resolutions—principles that align closely with the core values that Yom Kippur seeks to instil in us all.
Clarifying note: The Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023 did not occur on Yom Kippur. They took place almost exactly on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War — one day after its outbreak (6 October 1973 → 7 October 2023). The date in 2023 coincided instead with the Jewish festivals of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah.
Some 68,000 secular and religious Israelis to pray together on Yom Kippur | The Times of Israel
Secular and religious Israelis praying together on Yom Kippur.
The Universality of Yom Kippur and the Path to Peaceful Coexistence
A Concluding Note: A Shared Journey Towards Atonement and Understanding
To my Jewish friends globally, the esteemed tradition of Yom Kippur, rich in introspection, humility, and community unity, commands universal respect. (In 2025, Yom Kippur concludes at nightfall on 2 October.) At present, I am delving into the extensive and enthralling history of Jews in India—a timeline that spans from the pre-Christian era right through to the present day. An insightful article on this extraordinary historical journey is forthcoming.
As we each meander through our individual yet interconnected spiritual and cultural landscapes, let Yom Kippur serve as a guiding light in our mutual aspiration for a kinder and more understanding world. In keeping with traditional wishes, I extend to you all a heartfelt “G’mar Chatimah Tovah.” May this day bring atonement, renewal, and a ceaseless striving for human virtue. And may President Trump’s recently unveiled 20-point peace plan—already endorsed by Israel and many major countries in the Middle East, and now under “good faith” examination by Hamas—usher in lasting peace, justice, and equity across one of the world’s most volatile regions.