Yoma

Yoma is a tractate of the Mishnah and the Talmud in Jewish law, named for the Hebrew word for “day.” It forms part of the Moed (festivals) order and centers on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The tractate surveys the rituals, commandments, and prohibitions associated with this holiest day in the Jewish calendar, with a strong focus on the service of the Temple in Jerusalem and the spiritual significance of atonement.

The Mishnah portion lays out the laws and procedures for Yom Kippur, including the sequence of the High Priest’s service in the Holy of Holies, the offerings and sacrifices, the incense, and ritual purifications. The Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds expand these discussions, exploring legal questions, technical details, and related themes in both halakhic and aggadic passages. The discussions cover issues such as ritual purity, fasting, work restrictions, and the broader theological implications of atonement.

Significance and influence: Yoma serves as a foundational source for understanding Yom Kippur, the temple service, and priestly duties. It is studied in traditional yeshivas and cited in later halakhic codes, including medieval and contemporary rabbinic works. The tractate also contributes to broader Jewish legal and liturgical thought, illustrating how biblical commandments were interpreted and applied in rabbinic practice.

See also: Yom Kippur; Temple service; Kohen Gadol (High Priest); Mishnah; Talmud; Moed.