*Laws # 92-95 ~ BOOK THREE: THE BOOK OF SEASONS (Laws of the Day of Atonement Rest)

Law #92 To rest on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement  #93 Not to do prohibited labor on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement

Lev. 23:32 “...shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest...”

According to Maimonides, Lev. 23:32 commands us to rest on the Day of Atonement, which the Jewish call Yom Kippur.  In the rest, we are also prohibited from doing certain activities in Law #93.  We see both a positive command/to do something (rest) and a negative command/not to do something (prohibited labor). 

Please remember the purpose behind the Day of Atonement:   It is a day to remember the fall of the Israelite nation (golden calf) and the Most High’s forgiveness towards them.  Remember His restoration towards you.  Let's be reminded of our need to avoid lawlessness.  While the Most High’s mercies are new every morning, we are still held accountable to obedience to His Commands.  We will always need atonement for our shortcomings.  We fast in remembrance of this and with great gratitude for the Most High’s forgiveness and restoration in our lives.

Law #94 To afflict yourself on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement

Lev. 16:29 “And this shall be a statute forever unto you: that [on the Day of Atonement], you shall afflict you souls, and do no work at all…” Also see Lev. 23:32

The command here is to fast on the Day of Atonement. 

Law #95 Not to eat or drink on Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement

Lev. 23:29 “For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day (Day of Atonement), he shall be cut off from among his people.”

We have already been commanded the positive command to fast on the Day of Atonement.  Now we see a negative command, telling us further what to avoid, which is food and drink, as we fast.