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Once a year, on the tenth day of the seventh month, Israel celebrates the Day of Atonement. On this day the high priest, a son of Aaron, goes into the very Holy of Holies to put blood on the mercy seat to make atonement for all the sins of the priests and the people. At the start of this day instead of his regal clothes, the high priest wears the pure, sacred linen garments like those worn by the regular priests. These garments represent purity and humility. Before putting them on he has to bathe his entire body, symbolic of complete removal of that which is earthly.