Page "Yom Kippur" Paragraph 40

This traditional prominence is rooted in the Babylonian Talmud ’ s description of how to attain atonement following the destruction of the Temple.

According to Talmud tractate Yoma, in the absence of a Temple, Jews are obligated to study the High Priest ’ s ritual on Yom Kippur, and this study helps achieve atonement for those who are unable to benefit from its actual performance.

In Orthodox Judaism, accordingly, studying the Temple ritual on Yom Kippur represents a positive rabbinically ordained obligation which Jews seeking atonement are required to fulfill.