Yom Kippur

Leviticus ch. 16

Yom Kippur is considered by all Jews as the solemnest day of the year. It is the day we stand before God all day long in prayer; we appeal for forgiveness for our errors and plan to improve ourselves in the coming year.

A key Torah verse is the following.

Leviticus 23:27

"But on the tenth day of this seventh month it is the Day of Atonement; there shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall afflict you souls; you shall sacrifice a fire-offering to Hashem."

RASHI

But - RASHI: All "buts" and "onlys" (Hebrew "achim" and "rackim" ) in the Torah are restrictive terms. [Here the restriction means] the day atones only for those who repent but not for those who do not repent.

To get a better sense of what Rashi has said let us compare his comment to the Rashbam's comment on this verse.

RASHBAM

But on the tenth day - Rashbam: On the other holidays work for food [preparation] is permitted, while other work was forbidden, but on Yom Kippur which is a day of affliction, all work is forbidden as on the Sabbath.

[NOTE: The Torah, before discussing Yom Kippur, discussed other holidays where food preparation was permitted.]

A Question: How do Rashi and the Rasbam differ in their understanding of the word "but"?


DIFFERENCES IN UNDERSTANDING THE WORD "BUT"

An Answer: Did you notice that Rashi used the word "but" to exclude what was mentioned after it ("it is a day of atonement" only for those who repent), and the Rashbam used the word "but" to exclude what was mentioned before it, the previous holidays?

The word 'BUT' can be used to exclude and be in opposition to what was said before it or it can be in opposition to what is said after it. The normal, ordinary (p'shat) use of "but" is to be in opposition to what was said before it. As a teacher might say: "We will go on trip next week but not those who misbehave." That is the usual use of "but." The Rashbam chose this meaning for the word "ach." On all the holidays cooking is permitted but not Yom Kippur.

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