Congregation Brothers of Joseph 2 Broad St Norwich CT 06360

FOR THE WEEK OF  9/25/17
This Shabbat we observe Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.

Services for Yom Kippur are as follows (All services will be held UPSTAIRS):

FRIDAY, September 29 (Erev Yom Kippur)
Gather in Shul........................................................................................................ 5:45 P.M.
Mincha Service (Promptly).................................................................................... 5:50 P.M.
Light Candles (LATEST)....................................................................................... 6:15 P.M.
KOL NIDREI (Promptly)................................................................................... 6:20 P.M.

  SHABBOS, September 30 (Yom Kippur)
Shacharis Services................................................................................................. 8:00 A.M.
Torah Reading (approximate)................................................................................. 10:30 A.M.
Yizkor Memorial Service and Sermon (approximate).............................................. 11:15 A.M.
Mincha Services.................................................................................................... 4:45 P.M.
Ne-ilah Service...................................................................................................... 6:00 P.M.
Yom Kippur Ends................................................................................................. 7:13 P.M

The Torah reading for Yom Kippur morning describes the service performed on this day by the Kohen Gadol (high priest) in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A special feature of the Yom Kippur service was the casting of lots over two he-goats -- equal in age, size and appearance -- to determine which shall be offered in the Holy Temple, and which shall be dispatched to carry off the sins of Israel to the wilderness. The climax of the service was when the Kohen Gadol entered the innermost chamber in the Temple, the "Holy of Holies." Wearing special garments of pure white linen, the Kohen Gadol would enter the sacred place with a pan of burning coals in his right hand, and a ladle containing an exact handful of ketoret in his left. Inside the Holy of Holies, he would place the ketoret over the coals, wait for the room to fill with its aromatic smoke, and hastily retreat from the holy place.
"This shall be an everlasting statute for you," the Torah reading concludes. "...For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins... once a year."
During the afternoon Minchah service, we read chapter 18 of Leviticus, which details the prohibitions against incest and other deviant sexual behaviors. The Torah reading is followed by a haftorah (reading from the Prophets) which tells the story of Jonah -- the prophet who was sent to prophesy the destruction of the sinful city of Ninveh, ran away, was swallowed by a fish, and learned the power of prayer and repentance to evoke mercy and annul the harshest decrees.