Why exactly did the Jews sprinkle ashes on their heads & tear their robes & wear sackcloth??

Question

could someone give me reference to a site that gives details as to why they did this as a form of mourning & disgrace?

or if you know; you could tell me??

thank youuuu

Answer 1

It was an age old tradition to show mourning, regreat, and/or repentance.  Go to biblegateway.com and you can do a keyword search. The high preist could never do this because that would mean that God could not solve all problems.

Answer 2

The tearing of robes was actually commanded against in Leviticus I think, but it was a culturally ingrained thing.