Yom Kippur - the Sabbath of Sabbaths

The last two days have been a time to stop and reflect. Yom Kippur, as mentioned in my last blog, is a very special Jewish feast day. We were very fortunate to attend the Kol Nidre service on Tuesday evening at the Hebrew Union synagogue is west Jerusalem, just outside the Old City. The synagogue is on the fifth floor and has a commanding and stunning view across the Old City. Many people were dressed in white which is the color worn for Yom Kippur.
The service was very long (around 2 1/4 hours) but was full of beautiful music and singing. There were many prayers about confessing sins and seeking forgiveness which is what Yom Kippur is all about. The chief rabbi gave a reflection on the story of Jonah as part of her speech as this story is read as part of the celebrations tomorrow.
On the way back, we noticed that the streets were deserted - there was no traffic at all. From sundown to sundown on this special day, the Jews fast ( no food or water) and they are not allowed to work, wash, drive cars or make phone calls etc.
Wednesday was the actual feast day and many of us decided, in keeping with the solemnity of this day, to have a day of quiet and reflection. I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Calvary is to sit, reflect and pray. As it is such a crazy and busy place with pilgrims and tour groups filing through, I took my iPod and headphones and listened to some religious music. While at the site where the crucifixion is said to have occurred, I listened to "at the foot of the cross" by Father Rob Galea, and to "Make you Feel my Love" by Adele. It was a very moving and reflective time for me.
I also visited the tomb where it is believed Jesus was buried and where He rose. This was not so reflective as you are rushed in and hurried along so quickly!
I then went out of the city to visit the garden tomb, a place of reflection, which some believe to be the site of the resurrection. As it is outside, in a garden, on the side of a cliff, it is a lot easier to imagine this place as the site. Even if it isn't, it was still a very peaceful, beautiful and spiritual place for me.
Just before dinner, some of us headed to the Western wall to witness the end of Yom Kippur. There were so many people there it was amazing. The Jewish people were very excited as they awaited the blowing of the shofah, the ram's horn to signal the end of Yom Kippur.
It has been very special to witness and experience this special feast in the Jewish faith, a day that Jesus would have celebrated during his life.