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About Yom Kippur

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About Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It falls on the 10th of Tishrei, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, and closes the Ten Days of Awe.

It is a day of fasting, prayer and asking forgiveness. Jewish tradition holds that the judgement written on Rosh Hashanah is sealed on Yom Kippur, so people ask forgiveness of anyone they have wronged before the day begins, then of God through the day.

It begins at sunset with the Kol Nidre service and lasts about 25 hours. Adults in good health fast from food and water, many wear white, and most of the day is spent in the synagogue, ending with the Neilah prayer and a single long blast of the shofar. Families then break the fast together with a light meal.

In Israel the whole country goes quiet: shops, radio and television stop and the roads are empty of cars.

  • 10 Tishrei
  • About 25 hours of fasting
  • Ends with one long shofar blast

Where it began

The Torah sets the tenth day of the seventh month as a day of atonement. In the days of the Temple the high priest made special offerings on this day.

Today the day centres on prayer. Before it, people try to make peace with anyone they have hurt, because tradition teaches that wrongs between people need their forgiveness.

A great synagogue ready for the holy day

How it grew over time

  1. Biblical times

    The high priest enters the inner part of the Temple on this one day of the year.

  2. After 70 CE

    Prayer, fasting and repentance take the place of Temple offerings.

  3. Medieval period

    The Kol Nidre prayer opens the evening service in many communities.

  4. Today

    Even many Jews who seldom attend synagogue come on Yom Kippur.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Israel

    Roads fall silent, shops close and families walk and cycle on the empty streets.

  • US and Europe

    Synagogues hold services from evening through the next day.

  • Communities worldwide

    The fast ends with a shared meal after the final shofar blast.

Yom Kippur moments

An old painting of prayer on Yom Kippur
Prayer at the reading platform on the holy day
The ark of a synagogue lit with small lamps

Yom Kippur today

The day begins at sunset with Kol Nidre. Many people wear white, fast from food and drink, and spend the day in prayer. At nightfall a long shofar blast ends the day, and families break the fast together.

How people celebrate Yom Kippur

  • Asking forgiveness before the day
  • A 25 hour fast
  • Kol Nidre on the eve
  • Wearing white
  • Yizkor prayers for loved ones
  • Neilah and the final shofar
  • Breaking the fast with family

How to wish well

  • Yom Kippur is not a happy holiday. Do not say Happy Yom Kippur. Say G'mar chatima tova (may you be sealed for good), Have an easy fast, or Have a meaningful fast.
  • Send messages before sunset on the eve. Observant Jews do not use phones during the fast.
  • No jokes, no food talk until the break fast. Keep it short and respectful.
  • Asking a friend's forgiveness before Yom Kippur is a kind, meaningful message.
  • Not everyone fasts for health reasons; wish a meaningful day rather than asking whether someone is fasting.

Questions about Yom Kippur

When is Yom Kippur 2027?

Yom Kippur 2027 begins at sunset on 10 October 2027 and ends at nightfall on 11 October 2027.

What do you say on Yom Kippur?

G'mar chatima tova, may you be sealed for good, or simply Have an easy fast or Have a meaningful fast. Avoid Happy Yom Kippur.

Can you say Happy Yom Kippur?

It is better not to. Yom Kippur is a solemn day of fasting and prayer. G'mar chatima tova or Easy fast are the right words.

What is Kol Nidre?

Kol Nidre is the prayer that opens Yom Kippur at sunset. It releases people from vows made to God that they could not keep.

How long is the Yom Kippur fast?

About 25 hours, from just before sunset on the eve to nightfall the next day. Children, the sick and pregnant women may be exempt.

What does G'mar chatima tova mean?

It means a good final sealing: a wish that you be sealed in the Book of Life for a good year.

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