Purim and Yom Kippur?

Hi,

[Note: In the Torah, Yom Kippur is called "Yom haKippurim".]

"The general approach in each Yom Tov is that half is for Gd and half is for you, but two days are exceptions to this rule. Yom Kippurim is entirely for Gd, and Purim is entirely for you.

"In truth, though, there is no exception to the rule. Yom Kippurim is 'Yom KiPurim [trans: a day like Purim]'. This means that both together create a single holiday, which includes Purim and Yom Kippur, and on this day we fulfill 'half for G-d, half for you.'"

(Vilna Gaon, cited in Rav Yitzchok Hutner's Pachad Yitzchak for Purim)

What do you do with this?

חג פורים שמח,
Mordechai

Elijah's Cup

Hi,

"One reason why we pour a fifth cup and call it 'Elijah's Cup' is that there is a debate in the gemara as to whether we use a fifth cup, and the halachah is not determined. Therefore, we pour a fifth cup and we call it 'Elijah's cup,' and when Elijah comes the doubt will be clarified."

(Taamei haMinhagim 551, citing the Vilna Gaon)

Have a great Moed,
Mordechai