One of the most striking aspects of our services today is the emphasis on the actions of the High Priest in Temple. Our Torah reading recounts how, after the death of Aaron’s two sons, God instructed Moses to tell Aaron how to observe the very first Yom Kippur – and that we should observe it from thence forward as a day of atonement. Then, in the middle of the Musaf Amidah, we recount in greater detail the ceremony as it was observed in the Temple. Why do we need to repeat th

Every year as we enter the month of Elul and begin our approach to Yom Kippur, I wrestle with these questions: Who might I have offended or hurt in this past year – or even further back in time? Am I ready to apologize, and make amends? Will they be ready to accept an apology if I offer it? Is there someone who has hurt or offended me in the past year – or further back in time? Would I forgive them if they apologized? Can I forgive them without receiving an apology? Am I obli