Yom Kippur, the sixth of seven major feasts of Israel, commenced tonight at sundown in Israel (7 hours ahead of Eastern time and 10 hours ahead of Pacific time in the US). It follows the Feast of Trumpets, on which Israelis celebrate Rosh HaShanah. Rosh HaShanah is a new year’s celebration similar to what we experience on December 31-January 1 in the US, but actually has nothing to do with the Biblical Feast of Trumpets!

The Feast of Trumpets is followed immediately by the 10 days of awe, which are soul searching days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when Jews repent, fast and pray. Today is a solemn day for observant Jews.

From a Messianic Israeli’s perspective, here is what Yom Kippur is all about: