What is the Holy of Holies?

Once a year on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies, where he meets and communes with God.  Well, sort of. 

The Holy of Holies was the innermost area of the ancient temple of Jerusalem. It was a room shaped like a cube, housing the Ark of the Covenant, and only one person was allowed inside -- on a very specific day (Yom Kippur), for a specific purpose, with very specific instructions on how prepare to go inside, how to dress, how to enter the room, and once inside, what to do. 

And here is the catch: there was a thick veil within this room, and according to Leviticus 16:2, it was for the purpose of separating God from man's evil deeds (Habakkuk 1:13). Although the high priest went through a complex ritual to present himself once a year and atone for the nation, still, he was unable to commune with his God face to face.  He was near God, but not with God. 

For the Jews this was a great departure from seeing, speaking, arguing, and of course complaining directly with their God. Too many walls were built, too many empty rituals, and too many expectations. 

The awareness of "evil deeds" is necessary as humanity has led a bloody path of wars, conflicts, and continual injustices. I like the honesty and sheer transparency of the good, bad, and downright ugly in the historical and story telling account found in the bible. The stories of many leaders within the ancient Israelite community depict a complicated, argumentative, and at the same time, steady relationship with God. It started with Abraham arguing with God and continued on in this manner generation after generation.

And then it stopped. 

The Holy of Holies remind us that although we have erected veils and constructed walls between us and Others, between us and god, and mostly within us, we still seek that special place where holiness resides. 

Becoming aware, forgiving ourselves, forgiving others, developing a compassionate heart, and practicing certain meaningful rituals that remind us that we are able to ascend into greatness, is the entrance into the Holy of Holies. 

The Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur - was created for the sole purpose of being accountable to ourselves and others. To start again with a clean slate.  

Yours as Always, 

Dohrea