Jom Kippur (Hebrew: Day of Atonement) is considered the most significant and solemn day in the Jewish calendar. It is celebrated in the autumn on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei (September-October), and is known as the most important Sabbath (Hebrew: Shabbat Shabbaton). During this time, followers of Judaism observe a day-long fast and refrain from work, as well as from activities such as bathing, using perfumes, and wearing leather shoes.
Believers gather for collective prayers and engage in examination of conscience. Purification from sins and reconciliation with others is believed to ensure that followers are forgiven their trespasses and that their names are recorded for the following year in the Book of Life (Hebrew: Sefer ha-Chaim). On this day, white garments symbolizing purity and humility are worn in the synagogue (Judaica ze zbiorów Muzeum Narodowego w Warszawie, ed. E. Martyna, Warsaw 1993, pp. 235–236).
In biblical times, Jom Kippur was the only day of the year when the High Priest could enter the inner sanctuary– the Holy of Holies (Hebrew: Kodesh ha-Kodashim) – to offer a prayer of atonement for the people of Israel. In contemporary synagogues, the priestly blessing (Hebrew: Birkat (ha-)Kohanim) is recited by the descendants of the ancient priests.
Among the items related to Jom Kippur in the collections of the District Museum in Leszno is a rectangular belt buckle adorned with an engraved depiction of two lions. The animals, standing on their hind legs, hold a cartouche topped with a crown. Inside the cartouche is the Hebrew inscription: "For in this day he shall make an atonement for you, to cleanse you from all your sins before the Lord, and ye shall be purged" (Leviticus 16:30). The buckle bears four hallmarks and goldsmith marks: the initials of the Assayer Andrey Kowalsky with the date "1853", the silver purity mark of "84", and the coat of arms of Moscow – St. George on horseback slaying the dragon – appearing twice. The buckle is mounted on a leather belt dating from the interwar period, adorned with green trim. According to tradition, the belt should be a webbing belt. Due to the historical significance of both elements, which were used together for a long time, the buckle was not disassembled.
The item was acquired for the museum's collection in 2004 from Stefan Czarniecki, a private collector from Warsaw.
Dariusz Czwojdrak
