Sometimes, the answers are tucked away in unexpected corners of our history, like in the Book of Jubilees.

Now, the Book of Jubilees isn't part of the standard Hebrew Bible we read in synagogue. It's considered an apocryphal text, meaning it's outside the accepted biblical canon. But it's still a fascinating window into the beliefs and practices of some Jewish communities a couple of thousand years ago. It retells the stories of Genesis and Exodus, but with some… extra details and interpretations.

And that's where we find a really interesting take on the story of Joseph, his brothers, and his grieving father, Jacob.

We all know the story: Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. They then take his coat, dip it in animal blood, and bring it back to Jacob, their father, leading him to believe that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. It’s a heartbreaking scene.

The Book of Jubilees tells us that Jacob mourned for Joseph for a year. A whole year of unrelenting grief! Imagine that. The text says, "And he mourned for Joseph one year, and did not cease, for he said 'Let me go down to the grave mourning for my son.'" The depth of his despair is palpable.

But here's where it gets really interesting. The Book of Jubilees connects Jacob's mourning to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It says, "For this reason it is ordained for the children of Israel that they should afflict themselves on the tenth of the seventh month--on the day that the news which made him weep for Joseph came to Jacob his father." for a second. Could the somber nature of Yom Kippur, the self-affliction, the fasting, the intense focus on repentance… could it be connected, in some way, to the pain that Jacob felt over the loss of his son?

The text continues, "...that they should make atonement for themselves thereon with a young goat on the tenth of the seventh month, once a year, for their sins; for they had grieved the affection of their father regarding Joseph his son."

According to Jubilees, Yom Kippur isn't just about atoning for our sins against God, but also about atoning for the sins that cause pain and grief to our parents, to our elders, to those we love. Specifically, the text frames it as atonement for what the brothers did to Jacob. Wow.

It's a powerful idea, isn't it? That our collective day of atonement is tied, in some way, to this ancient story of familial betrayal and profound sorrow. It adds another layer of meaning to Yom Kippur, reminding us to consider the impact of our actions on those closest to us.

It also makes you think about the ripple effects of our actions. The brothers' deception didn't just affect Joseph; it devastated their father. And, according to the Book of Jubilees, it even shaped one of our most sacred holidays.

So, the next time Yom Kippur rolls around, maybe we can take a moment to remember Jacob’s grief, and to think about how we can be more mindful of the pain we might cause others, especially those we love. It's a reminder that atonement isn't just about seeking forgiveness from God, but also about repairing the relationships we've damaged along the way. And perhaps, in doing so, we can bring a little bit of healing to the world, and to ourselves.