[Abcdxxxx]

There's something a little off about most online rabbis that I can't put my finger on. There's a ton of these Askarabbi.com types.

I've always thought it's pretty Sunday school basic that the serpent was there to test man...and we know the Bible is full of these tests.

It's true, Jews do not believe in Satan, but the original concept does come out of the Torah. It's believed to be a concept (good vs. evil) more then a person or a concrete thing.

The tradition of Yom Kippurim is practiced a bit different then described above. A Mitzvah is a good deed, which Jews are expected to do year round. What he's left out is a tradition called Slichot which means "sorry". Everyone has reasons to say slichot, and you say it to your friends, family, and neighbors, not just god. The service consists of reading off a number of sins we commit, out loud, and then asking for forgiveness. Wether or not it's proper would be up to your denomination I guess. There's also a tradition of tossing bread into the sea as a ceremonius "casting off of sins" that some partake in. The shofar sounds the opening of the books of life, and it's actually the week in between Rosh Hashana (the start of the new year) and Yom Kippur (when the books are closed and fate is sealed) that are the holiest time of the year.

Not sure if that even adds anything to this conversation but thought I'd share.