Yom Kippurim is almost as Great as Purim

We are now in the Hebrew month of Elul, which is a time of holiness and preparation for the great holy days coming in the Hebrew month of Tishrei. First in Tishrei is the first day, called Rosh HaShana, New Year followed ten days later by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This is followed five days later by the holy holiday of Succose and eight days after that by Shemini Atseress, the Eighth Day of Assembly.

Interestingly enough, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, has an interesting name, because Yom means Day and Kippur or Kippurim is actually the word "like Purim," meaning, that Yom Kippurim or Yom Kippur, is similar like, but not exactly equal, to Purim.

Purim is the most unusual holiday of the year. It is not a day devoted to prayer, or learning Torah, but to drinking, especially powerful liquids, and many people simply get drunk with that kind of drink. How can Yom Kippurim be only almost like Purim, which is a day of drinking and not praying and not learning Torah?

But Yom Kippurim is about considering our sins. Purim is about something higher, considering heaven. Not praying, not learning Torah, but thinking of heaven and HaShem, that is the greatest day in the year.

Shalom,
Dovid Eidensohn