According to the Mishnah (Yoma 6:8, Yoma 39a-b in the Talmud), during the Yom Kippur sacrifice, a scarlet wool thread (or ribbon) was tied either to the scapegoat’s horns or to the Temple doors. This thread was believed to miraculously turn white if God accepted Israel’s atonement for that year, fulfilling Isaiah 1:18:
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”(Isaiah 1:18)
However, the Talmud (Yoma 39b) records that for 40 years before the destruction of the Second Temple (approximately AD 30–70), the scarlet thread ceased to turn white, indicating that Israel’s atonement was no longer being accepted by God.
This event holds profound significance in Christian thought, drawing parallels to Jesus Christ.
The 40 years preceding AD 70 roughly correspond to AD 30, traditionally regarded as the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The cessation of the scarlet thread turning white is interpreted as a divine sign that the Levitical system of atonement had become ineffective, aligning with Christian belief that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross had fulfilled the ultimate atonement for sins.
In contrast, Jewish scholars offer different interpretations.
Some view this change as evidence of growing corruption and unfaithfulness among the people, ultimately leading to the destruction of the Temple.
Others suggest it was a sign that God was withdrawing His presence from the Temple before its destruction by the Romans in AD 70.
In conclusion, the Scarlet Thread Miracle serves as a captivating bridge between Jewish and Christian eschatology, illuminating the transitional period between the Old and New Covenants. Whether viewed from a Jewish or Christian perspective, this event undeniably marked a pivotal shift in history and the nature of divine interaction with Israel.
