What Is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Occurring on the tenth of Tishrei, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, it is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance—the culmination of the High Holy Days and the final sealing of the divine judgment.

Biblical Foundation

The Torah commands:

כִּי בַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְכַפֵּר עֲלֵיכֶם לְטַהֵר אֶתְכֶם מִכֹּל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם לִפְנֵי יְהוָה תִּטְהָרוּ

Translation: For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; from all your sins you shall be clean before the Lord. (Leviticus 16:30)

The Five Prohibitions

Yom Kippur requires abstention from five things for approximately 25 hours:

Eating and Drinking

The central fast, allowing complete focus on spiritual matters.

Washing for Pleasure

Bathing for comfort is prohibited; basic hygiene is permitted.

Anointing

No lotions, perfumes, or oils for pleasure.

Leather Shoes

Many wear non-leather shoes as a sign of humility.

Marital Relations

Physical intimacy is suspended for this day of spiritual focus.

The Prayers

Kol Nidrei

The haunting melody opening the evening service, annulling unfulfilled vows. Its power lies in its emotional impact, setting the tone for the solemn day.

Vidui (Confession)

Repeated throughout the day, the confessional prayers list sins alphabetically. We confess communally, acknowledging shared responsibility.

Avodah

Recounting the High Priest's service in the ancient Temple, including the only day when God's ineffable Name was pronounced.

Yizkor

Memorial prayers for deceased loved ones.

Neilah

service as Yom Kippur ends—the final opportunity for repentance as the gates of heaven close.

White Clothing

Many wear white on Yom Kippur, symbolizing purity and resembling burial shrouds—a reminder of mortality that motivates repentance.

Between Person and God, Between Person and Person

The Mishnah teaches that Yom Kippur atones for sins between humans and God. But sins against other people require seeking their forgiveness directly. One should reconcile with others before Yom Kippur.

Breaking the Fast

Yom Kippur concludes with a long blast of the shofar. Families gather to break the fast together, celebrating the renewed relationship with God and the fresh start of a new year.