Day of Purification
Though we generally associate Yom Kippur with atonement, the Torah defines taharah (purification) as the day’s goal. “For on this day, He will effect atonement to purify you. From all your sins, before Hashem, you shall be purified (Vayikra 16:3).” On Yom Kippur, Hashem atones for our sins in order to purify us.
The purification relates to both the Beit Hamikdash and the Jewish people. This is why the Yom Kippur Torah readings detail the purification of both the Beit Mikdash (in the morning reading of Vayikra 16) and the Jewish people (in the afternoon reading of Vayikra 18).
The Damage of Sin
We are, of course, familiar with how the concept of taharah applies to the context of ritual purity. We are not as familiar with its relevance to the non-ritual sense. What does taharah mean in a personal, spiritual context?
Understanding spiritual purity hinges on appreciating the impact that sin has upon us. Sin is not just wrong and damning; it also defiles our soul and spirit. Mitzvah fulfillment sanctifies; transgression defiles. Rav Chaim Volozhin (Nefesh Hachayim 2:8) compared sin to the consumption of unhealthy food. Just as the latter damages us physically, the former taints our spiritual level and even our intellectual capacity (Yoma 39a).
The Goal
“A pure heart, create for me Hashem, and a steadfast spirit, renew within me,” (Tehillim 51:12).
Dovid HaMelech links taharah to the heart and spirit. The Shaarei Teshuvah (1:9) and Mesilat Yesharim (17, Midat Hataharah) explain that taharah hinges upon motivation—the why of what we do (beyond what we do). Tahor people are motivated by their wisdom and fear of Hashem, not their base desires.
Taharah’s focus on the heart helps us understand why the Rambam (Mishna Torah, Hilchot Teshuvah 7:3) sees teshuvah as addressing not just sin but also improper character traits. Purification is not just about correcting action but mainly about personal improvement.
Our Role
The pesukim we have seen—about taharah in general (Tehillim) and Yom Kippur specifically (Vayikra 16)—describe Hashem purifying us. This explains our request in each of our Shabbat and Yom Tov prayers: “ … vetaher libenu l’avdecha b’emet.” We ask Hashem to purify our hearts, so we can serve Him in earnest.
Crucially, though, the conclusion of the Yom Kippur pasuk—the word “titharu”—adds that we must purify ourselves. The Kohen Gadol used this word at the height of the Yom Kippur atonement service to remind those in the Mikdash of their responsibility to purify themselves. His verbal response to those who prostrated themselves upon his utterance of Hashem’s (most) sacred name was “titharu.” He emphasized that his avodah alone was not enough. Each person needed to purify himself.
When we make the effort to purify ourselves, Hashem completes the process for us. Shaarei Teshuvah (2:14) summarizes the process this way: “The Torah commands us to purify ourselves through teshuvah before Hashem so He can purify us through His atonement.”
How We Purify Ourselves
Most of us are familiar with the process and stages of teshuva. But how do we purify ourselves? The Mishna—at the end of Masechet Yoma—gives us direction by describing Hashem Himself as the proverbial mikvah, in which we are meant to purify ourselves. Hashem is totally disconnected from all sin and defilement. By reconnecting with Him, we return to a natural state of purity. Like the Kohen Gadol, who immerses himself 10 times on Yom Kippur and then enters the holy cloud (created by the ketoret) within the holiest part of Hashem’s sanctuary, we also “immerse ourselves” within our connection to Hashem.
After elaborating on this notion, the Maharal (Kitvei Maharal, Derush L’Shabbat Shuvah) emphasizes that—like immersion in an actual mikvah—we only achieve taharah by connecting (through committing) ourselves fully to Hashem. Even a tiny chatzitzah (separation) makes the “immersion” completely meaningless.
Returning to Ourselves
On a deeper (yet simpler) level, our return to Hashem is a return to our natural, authentic selves.
This applies on two levels: Firstly, because our soul emanates from Hashem, we need to look no further than inside ourselves to find His holiness (Bereishit 2:7, with Rashi and Ramban). As the Torah writes (Devarim 30:11-14): “It is not in the sky or beyond the seas, but in our mouths and hearts.”
Secondly, because our soul is of Godly origin, reconnecting with Hashem ultimately reconnects us to our true selves. For this reason, Rav Kook explained that our return to Hashem regenerates our natural, holy soul (Orot Hateshuvah 15:10).
We find Hashem by looking inside ourselves and our true selves by reconnecting with Him.
Though taharah is always an important goal, Yom Kippur is when this self-purification is most possible and impactful. Let’s make sure to take full advantage of the opportunity.
Rabbi Reuven Taragin is the dean of overseas students at Yeshivat HaKotel.
