If you wanted to ever know what Yom Kippur is all about you, you need go no further.
This video of the song “This is Yom Kippur” explains just that. This song beautifully captures the solemn, transformative heart of Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the holiest day on the biblical calendar. Keren weaves lyrics together with the foundational themes of the holiday. We get a profound look at what this day represents: There are three things to consider on Yom Kippur. First, divine cleansing and forgiveness, "On this day He will forgive you, cleanse all your sins..." This mirrors the central biblical promise of the holiday found in Leviticus 16:30: "For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins." Yom Kippur is entirely predicated on the radical mercy of The Lord. It is a designated, eternal appointment where the slate is wiped clean for those who approach Him with a sincere heart. Second, afflicting the soul (Affliction vs. Thirst), "...we [afflict] our souls, deny ourselves, we thirst for Him..." we afflict our souls" captures the biblical command to afflict your soul (Anui Nefesh). Traditionally, this is lived out through a strict 25-hour fast abstaining from food and water. As the song notes, by physically denying our earthly cravings, we actively redirect that biological hunger into a deep, spiritual thirst for God's presence, mercy, and alignment. Last, seeking mercy in the final hours"...on this day we seek His mercy... before the last trump of Yom Kippur. The lyric "before the last trump" beautifully parallels the theology of the Neilah service (the closing gate prayer). In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is when the books of destiny are written, but Yom Kippur is when they are finally sealed. The "last trump" represents those final moments of the holiday where the Shofar blasts one last time, and believers passionately cry out for mercy before the symbolic gates close. Through the lens of Keren's song, Yom Kippur is not framed as a day of heavy, hopeless punishment, but rather as a gift of extreme intimacy. It is a day where we willingly step away from the distractions of the flesh, fast to empty ourselves, and focus entirely on receiving the cleansing, forgiving love of the Lord before the holiday draws to a close.
Keren is a passionate singer, songwriter, and worship artist specializing in contemporary Messianic and Christian music. She has recorded and released music under Shalom Adventure like "You’re So Vain" and "No Matzah I Want Manna". Her albums and acoustic tracks cover deep themes of spiritual healing, trust, and biblical reflection. Shalom Adventure TV: Her video concerts/music, and teachings including her program It’s About Him from Genesis to Revelation!—are frequently shared and broadcasted on platforms like Shalom Adventure TV. In addition to her music ministry, Keren operates a local small business in Florida. She has been the owner and professional hair stylist of Styles by Design Family Hair Care since September 2015.
