Because of the great risk involved, a sturdy chain would be tied around the Kohein Gadol's foot before he went into the Kodesh Hakedashim. That way, if he didn't survive, he could be pulled back out by the chain. (Remember, no one else was ever allowed to enter the Kodesh Hakedashim for any reason!)
Tension filled the air while the Kohein Gadol did his work. All of the Jews wondered, would HaShem be pleased with his service? Would he be successful? Would he survive? Would the Jews be forgiven for the sins of the past year?
Finally, at the end of the day, if they saw the Kohein Gadol emerge peacefully from the Kodesh Hakedashim, they breathed a big sigh of relief. He had done it! His service was accepted, and HaShem had forgiven the Jews and wiped the slate clean for the new year. They were all so thankful and happy that they all rushed up to him, thanked him, and kissed his hands!
The Kohein Gadol then went home to celebrate his success with his family and friends. They all sat down to a festive meal, grateful for HaShem's kindness and forgiveness.
Now What?
HaShem said to Moshe that the tenth day of the month of Tishrei would always be Yom Kippur, the day of forgiveness, and He commanded Moshe to teach the Jews to observe Yom Kippur forever! But after the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed, there was no longer a Kohein Gadol, or a Kodesh Hakedashim. How would the Jews keep Yom Kippur?
Since korbanot (sacrifices) could no longer be offered, HaShem gave new laws to replace the service that the Kohein Gadol once did. The korbanot were very precious to HaShem - but the Jews themselves are far more precious. So, the korbanot were replaced with the service of prayer. On Yom Kippur, we pray all day long, asking HaShem for forgiveness. And every Jew who is over the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah fasts - they don't eat or drink anything for the entire night and day.
More than any other day of the year, our prayers on Yom Kippur have special power. The day itself is filled with the powerful energy of HaShem's forgiveness.
If you have done anything that has hurt or wronged someone in any way during the past year, it's not enough to ask HaShem to forgive you - even if you spend all day praying! Before Yom Kippur, it's important to ask forgiveness of the people you have hurt. Then you can do teshuva and resolve to change for the better in the coming year. Once your friend forgives you for something you have done wrong, you can be sure that HaShem will forgive you, too!
