Last week there was a deadly car-ramming and stabbing  outside a synagogue in Manchester, north England. A synagogue is a Jewish church, and many Jews were there celebrating the holiest day in their calendar. It was Yom Kippur, or ‘the day of atonement’. Devout Jews spend the day fasting, and praying for forgiveness of their sins. Even secular Jews often fast as a sign of their Jewish identity.

This was not the first attack on Jews on Yom Kippur. In 1973 a coalition of Arab states, led by Egypt and Syria, attacked Israel on the day of this festival. And the capture of the hostages in 2023, by HAMAS, was exactly 50 years after this.

But what is this ‘holy’ day? It originated in the Law of Moses, which God gave to the Jews. It was an extremely important religious celebration that Jews were commanded to keep each year. As with all Jewish festivals, the original ritual is no longer followed. According to the law (Leviticus 16) there were instructions for all the people and especially for the High Priest. He had to perform rituals, including animal sacrifices, that were unique to that day; the people were told: “afflict yourselves” (and hence the fasting). All the sins of the previous year, for the whole nation, were forgiven on this day. This included sins for which sacrifices had already been offered during the year. No wonder it is regarded as ‘holy’.

But followers of Jesus do not keep this festival. Why? The reason is fundamental to the Christian faith, and is explained in Hebrews 10:1-18.

The law could never make the people ‘perfect’ (verse 1). There was this ‘reminder of sins each year’ verse 3

And, most importantly,

“…it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins”

verse 4

In stark contrast, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ did exactly that.

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” verse 12

In fact, the law, and especially this Yom Kippur day, pointed forward to the sacrifice of Jesus (verse 1).

Tragically, the Jews did not accept Jesus as their promised Messiah. They, together with the Roman officials, had him crucified. Very few Jews accept Jesus now. And this has been stated in the past as a reason for hatred of Jews and acts of antisemitism.

But why does all this matter?

Firstly, God takes little delight in mere observance of the rituals themselves. He asks for obedience and the right attitude. Ritual was intended as an external sign of an obedient, godly heart. God said:

“For I desire steadfast love, and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings”

Hosea 6:6

There are few rituals for followers of Jesus. They are essential to observe, but it is crucially important that we develop the right attitude, and imitate Christ who “came to do the will of God” (Hebrews 10:5-7).

Secondly, we have no room for complacency. Despite their rejection of Jesus, the Jews had, and still do have, a special place in the plan of God (Romans 11:1, 25-26). While we should be sad at their rejection of Jesus, there is absolutely no reason for antisemitism. Rather, we should humbly learn from their mistakes (Romans 11:20).

A final thought: many Jews are easily identifiable. It was well known that they observe Yom Kippur. If we profess to follow Jesus is our allegiance and faith equally obvious in our daily attitude and behaviour? Do we really value the once for all forgiveness achieved by Jesus? We should do.