We often ask: “How do we know that G-d hears our prayers and forgives us on Yom Kippur, especially since we no longer have the Holy Temple and the sacrificial system for atonement?”
The Tanach (Torah, Prophets and Holy Writings) is filled with dozens of verses that prescribe ways to ask, and receive, forgiveness for our sins; whether it is Yom Kippur or another day. In fact, King Solomon never mentions sacrifices when dedicating the Holy Temple to G-d, and, instead, so eloquently states: “When they sin against you, for there is no man who never sins, and You become angry with them, and You deliver them to an enemy, and their captors where they were taken captive, and they repent and supplicate/petition to You...saying: We have sinned, we have been morally wrong; we have been wicked; and they return to You with All their heart and all their soul...and they pray...May You hear their prayer and their supplications/petitions from Heaven...and carry out their judgement, and forgive Your people who sinned against You.” D’vrai Hayomim/II Chronicles 6:36-40
Also: “Yet even now, says Hashem (G-d), return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning: rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to Hashem your G-d, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and relents of evil (from punishing).” Yoel 2:12-13
And: “With what shall I come before Hashem (G-d), and bow myself before Hashem (G-d) on high? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will Hashem (G-d) be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you O’ mortal, what is good; and what does Hashem (G-d) require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your G-d?” Micah 6:6-8
Rest Assured: G-d Does Hear Our Prayers - We just need to open our hearts and minds to His Goodness.
May you and yours, be inscribed in the Book of Life.