Dr Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President

As we approach Yom Kippur, the biblical Day of Atonement, the streets of Jerusalem will soon fall silent. The usually bustling Mahane Yehuda market on Jaffa Road will be shuttered. No one will be shopping, no traffic will move, all the children will be home from school, restaurants will all close, and all the TV channels will suspend their broadcasts.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Hebrew calendar. Across Israel, Jewish families will walk to their synagogues dressed in white clothing, ready to humble themselves before the Lord.

Yom Kippur is a time to fast and reflect, to ask God’s forgiveness and seek reconciliation with those we have wronged. The Hebrew word for repentance, תשובה (teshuvah), literally means “to return” or “to turn back”. The root word, שוב (shuv), means “to turn” or “to return”, and thus this day is a profound reminder to turn from sin and begin the new year with a clean heart and fresh slate. 

Leviticus describes this sacred day: “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever.” (Leviticus 16:29-31)

Israelis will observe Yom Kippur just ahead of the two-year anniversary of the October 7 mass terror attacks by Hamas. The wounds of this lingering conflict remain painful, especially with some 50 Israelis still held hostage in Gaza. The nation wants to start the new year with a clean slate and needs our prayers to lift themselves up and move ahead.

This Jewish holiday is also important to us as Christians. The Day of Atonement is not just an Old Testament tradition but a foreshadowing of the ultimate atonement through the Messiah, Yeshua. He is the fulfilment of what Yom Kippur points to—the perfect atonement for our sins, “offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). In Him, we find healing for our deepest hurts. Yeshua is now our High Priest, accessible to us every day, not just on one single day each year. Through Him, we can “come boldly to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16), knowing we will receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

As we enter this sacred Day of Atonement, this “time of turning”, may it not only be our sins that turn from scarlet to snow white, but may Israel’s grief turn to gladness, and her mourning to rejoicing in the Lord. May the people of Israel find healing and restoration. And may we all experience God’s redeeming grace.

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Dr Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President