Hebraic Heritage Radio Podcasts

In this session, we will look at the Neilah Service, the last part of a Yom Kippur service and the deeper spiritual meaning of the "sounding of the Great Shofar". The rabbis teach that Yom Kippur is the climax of the ten days of awe. They teach that the gates of heaven are open during the ten days to receive the prayers of repentance. Then, during the “neilah” service, the gates of heaven are closed. We will now study this neilah service to learn the deeper spiritual meaning and application.The heavenly judgment that was given during Yom Teruah is now sealed during the Neilah service of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is associated with the sounding of the “Great Shofar”. As part of the Neilah service there is the sounding of the shofar. This is known at the “Great Shofar”. The rabbis teach that the hearing of the shofar inspires within us a yearning for the shofar that will herald our ultimate freedom. The great shofar announces the coming of the Messiah. The sounding of the great shofar is associated with