Yom Kippur

Weinles On the eve of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur on Highway 20 Tel-Aviv

Sandy Koufax

Gabe Carimi ASU

Yom Kippur (Hebrew: יוֹם כִּפּוּר‎, IPA: [ˈjom kiˈpuʁ], or יום הכיפורים), also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days (or sometimes "the Days of Awe").

Observance

Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of the month of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls in September or October. The day is dedicated to atonement for sins between man and God, and the Torah mandates that it is to be a day of rest, fasting, and soul-searching. The evening before Yom Kippur, known as Kol Nidre, is named after the Aramaic prayer which begins the liturgy and asks for the annulment of vows made during the year.

Fasting

The fasting on Yom Kippur is considered one of the most important and central elements of the observance. The fast begins at sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day itself. During this time, no food or drink is consumed, and additional restrictions include abstaining from washing, using cosmetics or perfumes, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in marital relations.

Prayers and Liturgy

The liturgy of Yom Kippur is unique and includes several special prayers and services, such as the Kol Nidre service which begins the observance and the Ne'ilah service which concludes it. The prayer book used on Yom Kippur is called the Machzor. The day is characterized by its emphasis on personal repentance and confession of sins, a practice that culminates in the Ne'ilah service, during which the gates of heaven are said to slowly close as the day progresses, sealing the fates of all for the coming year.

Significance

Yom Kippur is a day set aside to atone for the sins of the past year and to ask for forgiveness from God. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and making amends. According to tradition, it is the day when Moses received the second set of Ten Commandments, marking the atonement of the Israelites for the sin of the Golden Calf. In modern times, Yom Kippur provides an opportunity for Jewish people to reflect on their personal and communal actions over the past year and to look forward to the year ahead with hope and prayer for renewal.

Cultural Impact

Yom Kippur has a significant cultural impact beyond its religious observance. In Israel, the day is observed by a near-total shutdown of the country. Airports, public transport, and television and radio broadcasts come to a halt, and roads are largely empty, with many secular Jews choosing to observe the day in some form. The solemn nature of Yom Kippur and its themes of atonement and forgiveness have also influenced literature, music, and film within Jewish and Israeli culture.