11 Aug Yom Kippur Guide
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement
Understanding the Most Sacred Day in the Jewish Calendar
Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement
Understanding the Most Sacred Day in the Jewish Calendar
Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year—a 25-hour stretch of quiet, focus, and spiritual renewal. For many Jews around the world, it’s a day to pause, look inward, ask for forgiveness, and step into the new year with clarity and purpose.
It’s not about punishment or guilt. Instead, it’s a powerful opportunity to start fresh, clean the spiritual slate, and reconnect with yourself, with others, and with something greater.
A Day Set Apart
Yom Kippur falls on the 10th of Tishrei, about a week after Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). It marks the final day of the Ten Days of Repentance—a stretch of time when people are encouraged to reflect, apologize, forgive, and make real changes.
“For on this day He shall effect atonement for you to cleanse you. Before the Lord, you shall be cleansed from all your sins.” — Leviticus 16:30
One of the names for Yom Kippur used in the scripture is the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” – and for good reason: it’s a day of complete rest, when even the usual Sabbath restrictions are taken a step further.
Yom Kippur is most known as a fast day, in which Jews abstain from eating or drinking. The fast—lasting 25 hours—is one of the most widely observed Jewish rituals, even among secular Jews. Instead of work, food, or entertainment, the focus shifts completely to:
- Teshuvah – repentance
- Tefillah – prayer
- Tzedakah – acts of charity
Name, Origins, and Traditions
“Yom Kippur” literally means “Day of Atonement” in Hebrew: “Yom” (day) and “Kippur” (atonement or covering). The Torah talks about this day in several places, including:
- Leviticus 16 – Describing the High Priest’s temple service
- Numbers 29:7–11 – Outlining sacrificial offerings and observances
- Leviticus 23:26–32 – Commanding it as a day of complete rest and self-denial
Yom Kippur is also known by other names, including Shabbat Shabbaton (“Sabbath of Sabbaths”), Day of Awe (in the context of the Yamim Noraim, or “Days of Awe”), and the Holy Convocation (as described in biblical texts).
Historical Significance
The very first Yom Kippur was the day Moses descended from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets, after the sin of the Golden Calf. This act symbolized divine forgiveness and is seen as the foundation for the day’s atoning power.
The High Priest in the Temple
In ancient times, Yom Kippur was centered on a singular and awe-inspiring ritual: The High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the Temple, the only day of the year this was permitted. He would offer incense and make atonement on behalf of the entire nation.
Dressed in pure white, the High Priest’s entrance into this sacred space represented the culmination of the people’s spiritual elevation.
Laws and Customs
Observing Yom Kippur involves a range of spiritual and physical practices that shape the entire 25-hour experience.
Preparations (Erev Yom Kippur)
- Kapparot: A symbolic act in which sins are “transferred” to a chicken or coins, later donated to charity.
- Se’udah Mafseket: A festive pre-fast meal eaten before sundown.
- Hatarat Nedarim: The annulment of personal vows, typically performed before the holiday.
The Fast
From sunset to nightfall the next day, observers abstain from eating and drinking, doing work, washing or bathing, anointing themselves with oils or lotions, wearing cosmetics or leather footwear, and engaging in sexual relations.
Prayer Services
Yom Kippur includes five unique prayer services (instead of the usual three):
- Kol Nidrei and Ma’ariv (Evening): Known for its moving melody and annulment of vows.
- Shacharit (Morning): Includes Torah reading and confessional prayers.
- Mussaf (Additional): Prayers that substitute the extra sacrifices once offered in the Temple.
- Minchah (Afternoon): Features the reading of the Book of Jonah.
- Ne’ilah (Closing): A powerful final plea as the gates of heaven symbolically begin to close.
The final shofar blast at the end of Ne’ilah marks the conclusion of Yom Kippur, signaling a fresh start.
Symbolism and Clothing
Many wear white garments to symbolize purity, humility, and the desire to emulate angels. White also recalls the High Priest’s attire on this day. In ultra-orthodox communities, men often wear kittels (simple white robes), which in many synagogues are specifically worn by the cantor on Yom Kippur as well.
Yom Kippur in Israel Today
In the State of Israel, Yom Kippur is unlike any other day of the year, both religiously and culturally.
A National Pause
Across the country, all public transportation halts, airports close, and TV and radio go silent. Shops, restaurants, and offices shut down, and only emergency services operate regularly.
For many Israelis, even those who are secular, this day holds deep significance. In fact, it is the most widely observed Jewish ritual in the country, with 60–70% of Israeli Jews fasting on Yom Kippur.
Synagogue and Community
Though many Israelis do not attend synagogue regularly, Yom Kippur draws multitudes into prayer spaces, community centers, or even outdoor minyanim (prayer groups).
With the roads empty of cars, many kids and teens ride bikes, skateboards, and scooters freely through city streets and highways. While not rooted in religious law, this has become an iconic part of Israeli Yom Kippur, blending tradition and modern secular culture.
A Time to Reflect and Renew
Whether observed through ancient prayers, modern reflection, or quiet contemplation, Yom Kippur is a day of deep meaning and impact. It invites all—religious or secular, young or old—to pause, reflect on their lives, seek forgiveness, and begin the year with purpose and clarity.
At The Jewish Agency, around the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur period, the organization has often organized some sort of meaningful initiative to bring Jews together and to foster their connection to Israel. During the pandemic, we invited Jews around the world to submit notes online to then be taken to the Kotel (Western Wall) at a time when flights were scarce, making upholding the tradition in-person difficult for many who would otherwise do so themselves at the holidays. And The Jewish Agency’s religious streams educational programs teach participants all about the Jewish holidays, including the above information and much more, as part of our efforts to create lasting bonds between Jews and Israel.