What is associated with the Day of Atonement in Leviticus?

The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is a significant event in the Levitical ritual calendar, specifically highlighted in Leviticus 16. This day is marked primarily by the offering of sacrifices as a means of atonement for the sins of the people.

During this sacred observance, the High Priest plays a crucial role in presenting offerings, which typically include a bull for himself and his household, as well as two goats - one that is sacrificed and the other, the scapegoat, which is symbolically burdened with the sins of the community and sent away into the wilderness. These actions demonstrate the process of seeking forgiveness and the restoration of the community's relationship with God.

While judgment of sins, the confession by the High Priest, and the presentation of guilt offerings are elements of the broader context of atonement, the primary focus of the Day of Atonement itself is the sacrificial system established to purge sin from the community. The physical act of offering sacrifices serves as a critical avenue for achieving atonement. Hence, the association with the offering of sacrifices is central to understanding the significance of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus.