Are We Commanded to Fast On Yom Kippur?

By Maria Merola אריאל 

© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, September 2019

http://www.DoublePortionInheritance.com

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To answer the question about whether or not we should fast on Yom Kippur, we must go back to the beginning, where the first “Day of Atonement” took place.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:21 Unto Adam also, and to his wife, did YHWH Elohiym make coats of skins, and clothed them.

The Hebrew word “coats” in the above passage is as follows:

#H3801 kethoneth, meaning “to cover, a garment, a robe.” 

In Leviticus 23:27, we are commanded to have a “Day of Atonement” (Yom Kippur). 

The Hebrew word for “atonement” (kippur) is #H3725.

The very next verse is interesting, because it uses two different words for the English word “atonement.”

Wayiqra (Leviticus) 23:28 And you shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement (kippur), to make an atonement (kaphar) for you before YHWH your Elohiym.

The first time the word “atonement” is used in the above verse, it is the Hebrew word “kippur,” and the second time in the verse, it says “kaphar.”

Kippur or “kippuriym,” is plural for the word “kaphar,” which literally means “to cover.”

Thus, the first mention of someone being “covered” (after they had sinned), was in Genesis 3:21, where we are shown that Adam & Chawah (Eve) were clothed (covered). YaHuWaH obviously shed the blood of a lamb, and made coats of skins for them. 

Now, I know what many of you are thinking. You are saying to yourselves “Maria, where does it say that YaHuWaH slaughtered a lamb to make coats of skins for them?” 

Some people purport that Adam & Eve did not have skin on them until after the fall. They say that they were simply “disembodied spirit beings,” like an aura of light. They say that after the fall, they were made “flesh and blood.” Beloved, this belief is rooted in Gnosticism, and is not supported by Scripture. 

Those who purport that Adam & Eve were not flesh and blood until after the fall, did not read the previous chapter in Genesis 2, where man was created from the dust of the earth. The Hebrew word for “dust,” (aphar) means “dirt, clay.” Before the fall, Adam & Eve were made of flesh and blood, as seen in Genesis 2:23. The Hebrew word for “flesh,” (basar), means “flesh, skin.” 

Modern Science has even proven that human flesh contains the same mineral content as soil, thus confirming that we are made from dirt. See the links below:

10 Ways Soil Nutrients are Similar to Human Nutrients

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:7 And YHWH Elohiym formed man of the dust [aphar, earth, clay] of the ground, and breathed, into his nostrils, the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 2:23 And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh [basar, body, person, flesh, skin]: she shall be called woman.

Another reason why we can be sure that an animal was slaughtered to make the coats of skins for Adam & Eve, is because of what it says in the book of Hebrews:

Ibriym (Hebrews) 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

This means the first blood atonement for sins took place after Adam & Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If there had not been atonement made for them, they could not have qualified to be the ancestors of our Messiah, according to the genealogical record in Luke 3:23-38.

There are hints in the story between Genesis 3:7-21, where we are shown a prophetic shadow picture of Messiah as the ultimate atonement for sins.

Stay with me, and you are going to see a clear contrast between the pride of humanity, versus the humility of our Messiah. In Genesis 3:7, we are told that Adam & Eve sewed fig leaves together to “COVER THEMSELVES!”

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 

Obviously, YaHuWaH did not accept vegetation as a proper COVERING FOR SIN! 

Adam and Eve were trying to “hide” their sin, rather than confess their sin.

Mishley (Proverbs) 28:13 He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy.

Before YaHuWaH covered their sin with skins, he wanted them to first recognize their nakedness. He wanted them to be spiritually naked, (fully exposed), so they could see the depravity of their own fallen nature:

Ibriym (Hebrews) 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Adam & Eve were trying to cover themselves physically, but that was like “putting the cart before the horse.” YaHuWaH was after something else that could not be attained by covering the exterior. He wanted them to have “A broken and contrite heart.” 

Tehillym (Psalm) 51:17 The sacrifices [zebach] of Elohiym are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O Elohiym, you will not despise.

This reminds me of Matthew 23:25, when our Messiah said the following words to the religious leaders: 

“Woe, unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter, but within, they are full of extortion, and excess.”

It was only after YaHuWaH allowed them to be naked and exposed, (thereby causing them to be humbled), that he covered their nakedness with animal skins.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:21 Unto Adam, also and to his wife, did YHWH Elohiym make coats of skins, and clothed them.

The Hebrew word for “skins” is #H5785, “owr” which literally means “skin, hide, leather.” 

However, the root word is #H5783 “uwr” meaning “To be bare, to be made naked.” What this means, is that Yah had to use the skins of other naked creatures to cover Adam & Eve with. In other words, an animal became their substitute for sins, “Until the seed should come” (Galatians 3:19).

In Genesis 4:3, Cain brought forth the fruit of the ground (vegetation), as an offering unto YaHuWaH. In Genesis 4:4, Abel brought the “firstlings of his flock.” The Hebrew word “firstling” is #H1062 “bekorah,” which means “birthright.” 

In other words, only by the blood of a lamb are we counted worthy to be born-again into our birthright or our inheritance. The Hebrew word for “flock” is #H6629 “tsone” which means “a goat or a lamb.”

What are we seeing here? We are seeing that Abel brought forth the only thing that could account him worthy to be called “The firstborn.” What was it that gave Yisra’el the right to be called “my firstborn son?”

Shemoth (Exodus) 4:22 And you shall say unto Pharaoh, Thus says YHWH, Yisra’el is my son, even my firstborn.

Shemoth (Exodus) 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out, from the sheep, or from the goats.

What are we seeing here? Cain was the firstborn (just like Esau), and Abel was the second born (just like Jacob). And yet, Esau (being physically born first), did not inherit the promise. Jacob, (being the second born), inherited the promise, because he was zealous for what YaHuWaH had to offer. 

He valued it, whereas Esau did not. And the same thing was true of Cain. He only offered vegetation, which is not an acceptable offering to cover sin. Why? Because cultivating crops is something that one does “With the works of his own hands.” 

In other words, it is easy to take pride in your own work, and thus begin to believe that you are righteous on your own. However, a shepherd, (which is what Abel was), had to learn relationship with his sheep in order to bring them up properly.

Cain was filled with pride, and thought his own works had value apart from YaHuWaH. Conversely, Abel was humble, and was willing to give the best of his flocks to make an acceptable offering before YaHuWaH. 

In other words, Abel valued relationship, whereas Cain valued his own accomplishments, which is rooted in pride.

It was only after Adam & Eve were put on trial, that they had to come “FACE-TO-FACE” with YaHuWaH, and acknowledge their sin. And once they recognized their sin, YaHuWaH made coats of skins for them. 

In other words, Yom Kippur means “Day of Covering!”

YaHuWaH himself, manifested as the High Priest, (Melchizedek). This was the pre-incarnate Messiah, Yahuwshuwa who “Walked among them” in the Garden. This means that Yahuwshuwa had a visible form, an eternal existence before he came to earth in a mortal human body.

But how can we know it was our Messiah, that Adam & Eve saw?

Yahuwchanon (John) 1:18 tells us that “No man has seen Elohiym at any time...”

Yahuwchanon (John) 6:46 tells us that “No man has seen the Father, save he which is of Elohiym..”

Therefore, Adam & Eve did see the Father, but in his visible form, which is our Messiah. 

Colossians 1:15 says that our Messiah is “The image of the invisible Elohiym..” 

It was our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa as Malkiy Tzedeq (Melchizedek) who came down and walked among Adam & Eve, and it was he who performed the first “Yom Kippur” sacrifice to “Cover the nakedness of their sin.” 

The entire book of Hebrews reveals that Yahuwshuwa is our eternal High Priest even from eternity past.

Ibriym (Hebrews) 7:24 But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  

In Leviticus 16, the High Priest is commanded to cast lots to see which of the “twin goats” would be “killed,” and which one would be “sent away.”

Immediately after YaHuWaH “killed” a lamb and “covered” Adam & Chawah (Eve), he had to “send them away” from the garden as a picture of the “SCAPEGOAT.” 

How does Adam & Eve represent the scapegoat? 

The word “scapegoat” literally means “goat of departure” (Azazel) in Hebrew. However, the dictionary defines scapegoat as “The innocent party that takes the blame for the guilty party.”

Adam & Eve were not innocent, for they had disobeyed Elohiym when they ate of the forbidden fruit. However, the main culprit was the serpent. It was the serpent that beguiled (deceived) Eve, and subsequently, Eve convinced her husband (Adam) to eat the forbidden fruit as well.

In Genesis 4:1, after YaHuWaH made atonement for Adam & Chawah (Eve), they “conceived” and bore two sons: Qayin (Cain) & Hebel (Abel). 

Why is it important that Eve conceived after atonement was made for her? 

Because, in Numbers chapter 5, there is an ordinance called “The Law of Jealousy,” for when a wife is suspected to have committed adultery on her husband, but there were no eye witnesses. 

In such cases, a spirit of jealousy would be sent to her husband, and he would suspect his wife. He would then take her to the priest in the Temple to perform this ordinance. This ordinance was a test to reveal if the wife had committed adultery or not.

If the wife was had not been defiled, she would be free from guilt, and she would be able to go home and conceive a child with her husband. 

Even though Eve was guilty of committing spiritual adultery (when she obeyed the serpent), atonement was made for her, and thus, she was freed from her guilt, and able to bear children.

Eve conceiving was a sign from YaHuWaH that her sin was covered. This also explains what Paul meant when he wrote the following:

1st Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  

1st Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  

1st Timothy 2:15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. 

The names of these two brothers tells a story of BOTH HOUSES OF YISRA’EL:

The name “Cain” (Qayin) comes from a root word in Hebrew:

#7069 qanah kaw-naw' a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by PURCHASE (causatively, sell); by implication to own:--attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, PROVOKE TO JEALOUSY, possess (-or), PURCHASE, RECOVER, REDEEM.

*Note: this is Yom Kippur language!

In Revelation 19, (on the Day of Atonement), our Messiah will return on a white horse, and he will REDEEM, PURCHASE, and RECOVER his bride!

You will also notice that this word “qanah” means “TO PROVOKE TO JEALOUSY!”

In Romans 11:11, we are told that the House of Yahuwdah (Judah) fell from grace, and caused salvation to come to the Gentiles aka “The House of Ephrayim” in order to “Provoke Judah to jealousy!”

Romiym (Romans) 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? Elohiym forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Therefore, Cain represents the House of Yahuwdah (Judah), because they killed their own Messiah when they shouted “CRUCIFY HIM!”

The name Hebel (Abel) means the following:

#1892 hebel habel {hab-ale'}; from 1891; EMPTINESS OR VANITY; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:--X altogether, vain, vanity.

It may seem strange that Abel was righteous, and yet his name means “emptiness, vanity, something transitory.” For Adam & Eve, they ended up losing both sons. 

Abel was KILLED, (like the sacrificial goat) and Cain was SENT AWAY, (like the scapegoat). Thus, Adam & Eve were left without their sons, or in other words their nest was “EMPTY.” 

Abel’s life had ended before he could bear children, and thus, his life ended “IN VAIN.”

These two brothers are a prophetic shadow picture of Both Houses of Yisra’el (Isaiah 8:14). Throughout history, we have seen that these two houses have “TRADED PLACES.” 

This explains why Ya’aqob (Jacob) crossed his arms over, and gave the blessing of the first-born to the younger grandson (Ephrayim), but he gave the blessing of the second-born to his grandson (Manasseh). 

In fact, because of the grievous sins that Reuben & Shimon (Simeon) had committed, Jacob was giving the blessing that was meant for Reuben to Ephrayim, and he gave the blessing that was intended for Simeon to Manasseh. What is interesting, is that the name “Reuben,” means “To see the son,” and Shimon’s name means “To hear.” 

Yisra’el had been repeatedly rebuked by the prophet Isaiah, and by our Messiah about their spiritual “blindness and deafness.” And since they rejected their Messiah, the spiritual gift of “eyes to see and ears to hear,” was taken away from the original sons of Yisra’el, and given to the two sons of Joseph, who would end up being scattered to the heathen nations. However, in these latter days, they are being gathered back to their own land, and they shall be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 48:5 And now your two sons, Ephraiim and Manasseh, which were born unto you in the land of Mitzrayim (Egypt) before I came unto you into Mitzrayim (Egypt), are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 

Judah became more like Ephrayim, and Ephrayim has become more like Judah, so that both houses could be equalized in the end. In the same way, Abel was a prophetic picture of Messiah, who bore the sin of his brother Cain when he was killed. 

This is the same thing that happened to our Messiah, (when he bore the sins of humanity), even those who crucified him. Cain was now having to bear the guilt for his brother Abel, and thus he represents the House of Judah.

Even though Abel was righteous, he represents the House of Ephrayim, because he was killed as a result of Cain’s “idolatry” which is “vanity” and emptiness:

Howshea (Hosea) 4:17 Ephrayim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Howshea (Hosea) 12:1 Ephrayim feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind: he daily increases lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Qayin (Cain) represents the “SCAPEGOAT” because he was “SENT AWAY.” And although he was not the innocent party, our Messiah was also “SENT” into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days for the sins of both houses. In Leviticus 16, we see the ordinance for the scapegoat:

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16:8 And Aharown (Aaron) shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for YHWH, and the other lot for Azazel (the scapegoat). 

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before YHWH, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16:26 And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward come into the camp.

We can see by these instructions in Leviticus 16, that our Messiah fulfilled the pattern of the Twin Goats for Yom Kippur at his baptism. His cousin Yahuwchanon (John) who was a High Priest from the Sons of Aaron, selected our Messiah as the Passover Lamb, as well as the Yom Kippur sacrificial goat, who would be killed three and a half years later.

Yahuwchanon (John) 1:29 The next day Yahuwchanon (John) sees Yahuwshuwa coming unto him, and said, Behold the Lamb of Elohiym, which takes away the sin of the world.

Messiah’s Baptism & Forty-Day Fast Leading Up to Yom Kippur

To learn about how our Messiah fulfilled the pattern of the Twin Goats for Yom Kippur at his baptism, see my other blog: The Yom Kippur Twin Goats Fulfilled in Messiah

Hebel (Abel) represents the “SACRIFICIAL GOAT” because he was “SLAIN.”

Adam & Chawah (Eve) lost both of their sons as punishment for their sin in the garden.

Similarly, King David was punished when YaHuWaH took his son that was born to him by Bathsheba. This was a judgement that was brought upon David, because he had her husband (Uriah) killed in battle, attempting to cover up his sin of adultery with her.

In Genesis 4:15, YaHuWaH pronounced “VENGEANCE” on anyone who slays Cain:

“And YHWH said unto him, Therefore whosoever slays Qayin (Cain), VENGEANCE shall be taken on him SEVENFOLD. And YHWH set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.”

In Revelation 19:2, our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa will return on a white horse to “AVENGE,” the blood of his servants, that were martyred for their testimony of Yahuwshuwa.

This day will mark the “The Seventh Day Sabbath Millennium.” 

Beyth Keefa (2nd Peter) 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with YHWH as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

It will be the 6,000th year since the creation, taking us into the 7th millennium. 

This will be the future “DAY OF VENGEANCE,” which will take place on Yom Kippur, and it will be the 120th Jubilee year.

Genesis 6:3 gives us a clue as to how many years are appointed to humanity:

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 6:3 And YHWH said, my Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 

The Hebrew word for “years” (shanah) in the above passage is not limited to a 360-day year. It can also mean “an age.” 

50 years x 120 years = 6,000 years. 

On the 6th day of creation, is when YaHuWaH formed mankind in his own image, therefore, the number “6” is the number of “humanity.” 

It is therefore, fitting that the kingdoms of this present world, (the kingdoms ruled by men), will end when Yahuwshuwa returns, as he will usher in his new millennial reign. 

Yahuwshuwa will finally REDEEM, PURCHASE & RECOVER all that the enemy has stolen from Adam & Chawah (Eve), and their TWO SONS!

These two sons of Adam & Eve are a prophetic shadow picture of “BOTH HOUSES OF YISRA’EL!”

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of YHWH, and THE DAY OF VENGEANCE OF OUR ELOHIYM; to comfort all that mourn.

Chazown (Revelation) 19:2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he has judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and has AVENGED the blood of his servants at her hand.

The second chapter of Joel gives more evidence that Yom Kippur, is a day that we are commanded to fast:

Yahuw’EL (Joel) 2: 

12 Therefore also now, saith YHWH, turn you even to me with all your heart, and WITH FASTING, and with weeping, and with mourning: 

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto YHWH your Elohiym: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents him of the evil. 

14 Who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto YHWH your Elohiym? 

15 Blow the trumpet in Tziyown (Zion), SANCTIFY A FAST, call a solemn assembly: 

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber (chuppah), and the bride out of her closet (chuppah). 

17 Let the priests, the ministers of YHWH, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O YHWH, and give not you heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their Elohiym?

Are We Commanded to Fast for Yom Kippur?

There are certain ministries that are purporting that there is no such command to fast for Yom Kippur. However, these ministries are woefully uninformed about what the Hebrew Scriptures teach on this subject, consequently, they are misleading the sheep.

The instructions for Yom Kippur in Leviticus 23:27, command us to “AFFLICT OUR SOULS.”

What exactly does this mean?

The Hebrew word for “afflict” (anah) means “To subjugate, to make weak.”

The Hebrew word for “soul” (nephesh) means the following: “appetite, desire, passion.”

Therefore, to “Afflict your soul,” means “To subjugate your appetite, to make yourself weak.”

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 58:3 gives us a clue that fasting is connected to afflicting our souls:

“Wherefore have we FASTED, say they, and you see it not? Wherefore have we AFFLICTED OUR SOUL, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your FAST you find pleasure, and exact all your labours.”

Notice, that afflicting one’s soul is equivalent to fasting! The Hebrew word for “fasting” means the following:

#6684 tsuwm tsoom a primitive root; TO COVER OVER THE MOUTH, i.e. to fast:--X at all, fast.

As we have already seen, the word “KIPPUR” comes from another root word “KAPHAR,” which means “TO COVER!”

When was the first DAY OF COVERING?

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did YHWH Elohiym make coats [coverings] of skins, and clothed them (COVERED THEM!)

Therefore, Yom Kippur is synonymous with having our sins “covered!”

Adam & Eve sinned when they “ATE” (which is the opposite of fasting). And what did they eat? They ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which they were forbidden to “EAT.”

Therefore, when we FAST we COVER OUR MOUTH!

This is to remind us of the original sin in the garden which began with EATING!

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I DID EAT.

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:13 And YHWH Elohiym said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I DID EAT.  

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:14 And YHWH Elohiym said unto the serpent, Because you have done this, you are CURSED above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon your belly shall you go, and DUST SHALL YOU EAT all the days of your life: 

Bereshiyth (Genesis) 3:15 And I will put enmity [hostility, hatred] between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; HE [Aleph & Taw] shall bruise [crush] your head, and you shall bruise [crush] his heel. 

*Hint: In Genesis 3:15, the English word “it” is the Hebrew word “HE!” Also, right in front of the word “HE” is the Aleph & Taw, which is a symbol of our Messiah!

Fasting is therefore, a great way to show YaHuWaH that we are willing to REVERSE THE CURSE brought into the world through the serpent, and through Adam and his wife.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Can We Fast from Other Things Besides Food?

Some people have suggested that fasting can involve abstaining from other things besides food. However, abstaining from television,  video games, or other worldly vices does not have the same effect on the soul like fasting from food does. 

Fasting from food reminds us that we must depend completely on YaHuWaH for the very breath of life, because eating is the most basic of needs for survival. We can survive without television or video games. But we cannot survive long-term without food or water. Giving up an addiction, or a worldly vice is something that we should give up permanently anyway, not only for 24 hours on Yom Kippur.

Fasting from food causes us to become fully aware of our most basic instinct for survival. When food is suddenly removed, we are left feeling helpless and desperate. We are hard-wired to survive, and when we become hungry, we feel as if we are going to die. The only way to transcend those desperate feelings is to crucify the flesh, and to draw our spiritual strength from YaHuWaH.

I know this all too well, because I have fasted on lemonade for 40 days, and it changes you emotionally and spiritually. It makes you feel vulnerable, and needy.

When we fast, we recognize that we must cast ourselves upon YaHuWaH for our very breath. Abstaining from other vices (like video games, television, or social media), does not make us feel desperate to survive, like fasting from food does.

Somebody once wrote to me, and argued that the Hebrew word in Leviticus 23:29 for “afflict” is not the same words used for “fast” in Isaiah 58. 

Here is what I wrote in response:

The Hebrew word in Leviticus 23:29 is as follows: 

#6031 anah: to abase oneself, afflict(-ion, self), chasten self, deal hardly with, humble, submit self, weaken. 

The scriptural definition of fasting means “To cover the mouth,” thus, fasting is never defined in the Bible as abstaining from vices like video games, or television.

Additionally, the root word for “kippur” is “kaphar,” which means “to cover.” 

#6684 tsuwm tsoom a primitive root; TO COVER OVER THE MOUTH, i.e. to fast. 

We have a couple of hints that the entire chapter of Isaiah 58 is speaking of Yom Kippur:

In Isaiah 58:5, he calls this day of fasting is “AN ACCEPTABLE DAY OF YAHUWAH,” which is language that is used on Yom Kippur!

On Yom Kippur, the High Priest is commanded to cast lots to determine if the white stone comes up, or if the black stone comes up (called the Uriym or the Thummiym). If the nation of Yisrael is accepted that year, the High Priest announces to the congregation, that is “AN ACCEPTABLE DAY OF YAHUWAH!” 

In Isaiah 58:13, Yah calls this day of “fasting,” a Sabbath, because Yom Kippur is a “HIGH SABBATH!”

The prophets expound, and give revelation of the Towrah, which gives us the complete picture. This is why Towrah alone (without the Prophets), can lead to people either over-simplifying, or apply the “letter of the law.” By applying Towrah & Prophets (together) to our lives, we operate in  both SPIRIT & TRUTH!

Fasting Does Not Atone for Sins

I want to clear up a misunderstanding about the purpose of fasting. There are some people who assume that when we fast for Yom Kippur, that we are attempting to atone for our own sins. However, I have already illustrated that there is no atonement for sins without the shedding of blood, and not just any blood, but the blood of our Messiah, who is the spotless and sinless lamb from eternity.

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Keefa Aleph (1st Peter) 1:18 Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

Keefa Aleph (1st Peter) 1:19 But with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

Keefa Aleph (1st Peter) 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

So what is the purpose of fasting? It is meant to remind us of our depravity as human beings, (and that we are weak in the flesh), and we need a Savior to deliver us from our sinful, fallen nature.

Several Reasons Why We Should Fast for Yom Kippur:

1.) Our Messiah fasted for forty days, leading up to Yom Kippur, when he was sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat. Therefore, he fasted from the time of his baptism, up until the end of Yom Kippur, (when he then entered the Synagogue and read the Isaiah 61 scroll out loud in the assembly).  

If we are following him, we should follow his example. I am not suggesting that we must fast for the entire forty days like Yahuwshuwa did. However, since these were the same forty days when Moses went up to the mountain (the second time) to receive the second set of stone tablets, it has prophetic significance.

The first set of tablets were broken, because of the sin with the golden calf; therefore, our Messiah was sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat, to be tested and tried on our behalf. During those same forty days, our Messiah was demonstrating to us how to overcome the sinful nature, by denying our flesh.

Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 16:24 Then said Yahuwshuwa unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

There is no other way (that I am aware of), that we can subjugate our appetites and desires, except through fasting from food. Fasting is the best way to deny ourselves and to crucify the flesh.

2.) We are told that whoever does not “afflict their soul, shall be cut off from his people!” Therefore, we should be absolutely sure of what “afflicting our soul,” really means in Hebrew!

3.) Isaiah 58 makes it abundantly clear that “afflicting our soul” is indeed fasting! The rebuke that Yah had in Isaiah 58, is that people were fasting on Yom Kippur, but they were sinning in other areas, such as oppressing their employees; not feeding the hungry; fighting with their fists and with heated debates, etc.

4.) It is interesting that there are exactly TEN TIMES, where we are commanded in Scripture to “afflict our souls.” I believe it’s because there are “Ten Northern Tribes of Yisra’el, ” which our Messiah referred to as “his lost sheep” (Jeremiah 50:6; Matthew 10:16; 15:24; Luke 15:4-6).

5.) To afflict one’s soul literally means “To subjugate the appetites of the flesh.” It also means “To make oneself weak, to humble oneself.”

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16:29 And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you: 

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 16:31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and you shall afflict your souls, by a statute forever. 

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto YHWH.

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. 

Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall you celebrate your Sabbath. 

Bamidbar (Numbers) 29:7 And you shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and you shall afflict your souls: you shall not do any work therein: 

Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and you see not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your FAST you find pleasure, and exact all your labours. 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and AN ACCEPTABLE DAY TO YHWH? 

Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 58:10 And if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day: