Understanding the Significance of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Observed with a 25-hour fast and a full day spent in prayer at synagogue, Yom Kippur is a time for reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and renewal.
On Yom Kippur we reflect deeply on our actions over the past year, take accountability for our misdeeds, and seek forgiveness from God. The prayers and rituals of the day help us become right with our Creator and with our fellow human beings. Yom Kippur allows us to wipe the slate clean and start fresh in the new year.
As we ask God for forgiveness, we must also seek reconciliation with people we have wronged. According to Jewish custom, we should approach those people, admit our mistakes, express regret, and ask for their pardon. Thus Yom Kippur helps heal broken relationships and enables us to begin the new year with a renewed commitment to compassion and justice.
Observing the Yom Kippur Fast
The 25-hour fast is central to the observance of Yom Kippur. By abstaining from all food and drink from before sundown to after nightfall the following day, we devote ourselves completely to prayer and spiritual introspection. The fast reminds us to be humble before God, and to be mindful that many people around the world live with hunger and deprivation.
While exemptions to fasting are made for medical conditions, pregnant women, and children, Jewish law requires even small children to fast for a short time to introduce the spiritual lessons of Yom Kippur at an early age. The evening before Yom Kippur, families gather for a last pre-fast meal to prepare for the solemnity ahead.
Attending Synagogue Services
Yom Kippur is marked by attendance at synagogue for most of the day. The services include haunting melodies, moving communal prayers asking God for mercy and forgiveness, and the recitation of the Viddui, a central Yom Kippur prayer confessing our sins. Many spend the entire day in synagogue, engaged in communal worship and personal introspection.
The concluding service of Yom Kippur is called Neilah, Hebrew for “locking”. According to Jewish lore, the gates of heaven are open for repentance throughout the Ten Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. At the end of Yom Kippur, these gates close – hence the imagery of “locking” in Neilah. The Neilah service thus takes on an air of urgency and spiritual intensity as we ask God one last time for forgiveness before nightfall.
Breaking the Fast
When the fast concludes after dark, families and friends gather for a celebratory break-fast meal. The mood is joyous, infused with gratitude, as if a heavy burden has been lifted. There is often singing and words of Torah shared around the table. Customs include eating round challah bread, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life, and enjoying sweet foods like apples dipped in honey, looking ahead to a sweet new year.
The day after Yom Kippur is considered a spiritually uplifting time when we can still feel the power of renewal and closeness with the Divine. Synagogues often schedule Torah study sessions or community service projects at this time to prolong the sense of inspiration.
Yom Kippur FAQ
What do people wear to synagogue on Yom Kippur?Many wear white clothing, a symbol of spiritual purity associated with the holiday. Some also wear a kittel, a white robe-like garment used as a burial shroud, reminding us of our mortality. Can you drive on Yom Kippur? Orthodox Jews refrain from driving or using electricity on Yom Kippur, as part of keeping the day holy and removed from mundane activities. Many secular Jews also avoid driving as a sign of respect.What is the Kol Nidre prayer?Recited at the start of Yom Kippur eve services, Kol Nidre is an aramaic declaration that annuls all personal vows made to God that were left unfulfilled over the past year. This prayer clears the slate to sincerely take on new vows. Who is exempt from fasting on Yom Kippur? Jewish law exempts children under 13, the elderly, pregnant/nursing women, and anyone with an illness from fasting. Those excused are still expected to avoid certain pleasures and spend the day in contemplation.What are appropriate greetings for Yom Kippur? It is customary to wish others an easy fast by saying “Tzom Kal,” meaning “Have an easy fast.” The common greeting after Yom Kippur is “Gmar Chatimah Tovah,” meaning “A good final sealing,” referring to being sealed in the Book of Life.
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