Chabad Tokyo Japan

Tomorrow, Wednesday evening, September 15 will begin Yom Kippur.

The day that the deepest and purest part of our neshama is revealed. The day of eternal forgiveness, when one stands before the Creator, as an angel. We pray and wish that each of you will be sealed in the book of life for a good and sweet year. May it be a year of revealed good in every aspect of your life. From Corona(COVID-19), we will have the Crown of King Moshiach. Now. This year in Jerusalem!

We are joyously preparing for the meal before the fast and break the fast. Our generous friend Shlomi from Nagoya sent such fresh produce, large beets, special peppers and superbly sweet kabocha and many other delicious vegetables for the Holidays. Loads of Challah rolls and appetizing foods are ready for the great mitzvah of adding in meals on Erev Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur was chosen as the day of forgiveness and atonement by G-d Almighty, 3,334 years ago. When the Jewish people were forgiven for the sin of the Golden Calf. To join for Yom Kippur please RSVP. Due to Corona(COVID-19), we have to know in advance.

Yom Kippur Schedule:

Wednesday, Sep 15
　2 PM　meal before the fast
　5:30 PM　Candle lighting
　6:30 PM　KOL NIDREI

Yom Kippur day:
 Thursday, Sep 16
　10 AM　Morning services
　11 AM　YIZKOR
　4:30 PM　Mincha
　5:00 PM　Neilah and Blowing shofar
　6:30 PM　MEAL AFTER THE FAST

Contact us from e-mail

[email protected]

Cremation in Japan is common in Japan. It wasn’t so before World war Two, people were buried. As a matter of fact, the emperor’s family do not cremate to this day. 

Jewish tradition prohibits cremation, since we come from earth and are destined to return to earth. The body is considered sacred as it is a loyal partner to the soul doing good deeds while it is in this physical world. Our body is given to us as a collateral to safekeep, so that after 120 years, of a full and meaningful life, the body is returned to its maker. The Torah teaches that we don’t have a right to burn what G-d has given to us as a gift. 

Recently, a 55 year old Jewish man in our community passed away suddenly. He lived over three decades in Japan. His family in Israel were very worried how they would be able to bury him according to Jewish law. Rabbi Edery, may he live and be well arranged all the paper work so that his body could be flown back as soon as possible to Israel. The Jewish law requires the family to bury their relative as close as possible to the time of death, as respect for the the person who passed on. Many of the local offices were closed due to corona, that did not deter Rabbi Edery from thinking of ways to overcome the challenges. The vice minister of Defense Yasuhide Nakayama, who very kindly connected us with Miyake sensei from the Ministry of Foreign affairs helped very graciously. 

Finally, the Jewish man was buried near his family in Tiberias, Israel. Hopefully, Moshiach will come very soon and he will be reunited with his loved ones.