Why is the Book of Jonah read on Yom Kippur?
Rabbis emphasize several reasons for the selection of The Book of Jonah for the Haftara reading for the Mincha (afternoon) service on Yom Kippur. The concept of the universality of God is a major theme throughout the “days of awe”, and in the Book of Jonah, God is represented as the God of all nations. Also Jonah himself is the great document of human change. Jonah teaches us that man can abandon his evil ways, accept responsibility for his actions, and do Teshuva, return to God and to holiness. The message of The Book of Jonah is that change is always possible and that we all have a chance at a new beginning.
