What Is Yom Kippur? Guide To The Day of Atonement
What is Yom Kippur? Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for Jewish people. This is the time of year when most Jews show up for services or at least more than usual. In big cities, you sometimes even need tickets, as synagogues get really crowded. Unlike the festive atmosphere you might find during holidays with bright Hanukkah decorations, Yom Kippur is a contemplative day focused on reflection and atonement.
But what is Yom Kippur and what do you do on this day? Is Yom Kippur in the Bible? What does Yom Kippur celebrate? We answer these and other questions below, including insights on Yom Kippur symbols and mindfulness activities observed on this day that help deepen the experience of reflection and renewal.
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What Is Yom Kippur And What Do You Do?
Yom Kippur is the Jewish Day of Atonement and it's a time when people focus on making positive changes in their lives and seeking forgiveness. The word "atonement" refers to the act of taking responsibility for mistakes, saying sorry when needed and making way for a fresh start. To prepare, people make amends and ask forgiveness from their family and friends during the days leading up to the holiday. They may also spend the entire evening and the next day at prayer services. Some people even create their own rituals, such as taking a contemplative walk or fasting at home.
This meaningful holiday takes place exactly 10 days after Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). The observance begins at sunset with a special service called Kol Nidre. It's the one time a year when people wear a prayer shawl at night and many are dressed in white as it is customary to do so. You might even notice people wearing sneakers instead of leather shoes, following an old tradition that avoids symbols of luxury during this humble time.
What is Yom Kippur's most recognizable moment, you may ask? It's probably the haunting melody of the Kol Nidre prayer itself. This beautiful chant serves as a public acknowledgment of human imperfection and asks for forgiveness in advance for promises we might not keep. From this moving beginning, the observance continues for a full 25 hours of prayer, fasting and reflection.
Throughout the day, special prayers and confessions called vidui are recited both silently and aloud. These honest admissions help people process their past mistakes and shortcomings. When the sun finally sets and Yom Kippur ends, the solemn mood transforms into celebration. Families and congregations often gather for festive meals to break their fast, marking the transition from reflection to renewal.
What Does Yom Kippur Celebrate?
Technically, you don’t ‘celebrate’ Yom Kippur. It’s a meaningful day that Jewish people observe with solemnity and reflection. Observants gather in synagogues, repent, read from the Torah and refrain from activities that bring happiness. In fact, for 10 days leading up to this day of atonement, Jews dedicate themselves to identifying their sins, offering repentance, doing good works and making amends.
Also, Yom Kippur is a time for relationship maintenance, requiring Jews to seek out reconciliation with others, with themselves and with God. The imagery of the holiday is that of gates, the gates of prayer, soul searching and forgiveness, which are closed at the final service known as "ne'ilah" or locking of the gates. As ne'ilah concludes, the shofar (a ram's horn) is sounded in a dramatic closing ceremony. And with the final blast, the ups and downs of a really long day come to an end.
How Long Is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur lasts for a full 25 hours, from just before sundown to just after sundown. In the Jewish tradition, that day is observed by denying yourself of all food and even water, with exceptions made for the sick, pregnant women and children under the age of nine. There's also no bathing, no perfumes or deodorant and no wearing leather shoes. These restrictions help shift the focus away from physical comfort and toward spiritual growth.
Once the fast ends, families and friends typically gather to break the fast with a light meal, often something simple and nourishing. After such a long and emotional day, the atmosphere is one of calm and renewal. Many people describe feeling physically tired but spiritually refreshed. That’s because, like any good cleanse, Yom Kippur leaves people wrung out like a sponge, having gone on a spiritual journey that leaves them feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to begin again on a clean slate.
What Are The 5 Rules Of Yom Kippur?
When people ask "what is Yom Kippur," one of the most important aspects to understand is that this holy day is observed through specific practices that set it apart from ordinary days. Just like the weekly Sabbath, Yom Kippur requires complete rest from work, beginning at sunset on the ninth day of Tishrei and continuing until the stars appear the following evening.
What is Yom Kippur's unique character? It comes from five specific observances or restrictions that observant Jews follow. These five actions are avoided as a way to "afflict the soul" and demonstrate humility, reminding people to turn inward and focus on their spiritual lives rather than their physical needs.
The first and most well-known observance involves abstaining from all food and drink. Bathing for pleasure is also avoided during Yom Kippur, though basic hygiene like washing hands after using the bathroom is still allowed. This rule helps create a sense of humility and simplicity throughout the day. Just like bathing, applying lotions, perfumes or oils for enjoyment or luxury is avoided. The idea is to step away from pampering and focus on more meaningful reflection.
Furthermore, on Yom Kippur, many choose to wear canvas or fabric shoes instead of leather ones. That's because leather was historically considered a luxury item, and avoiding it demonstrates humility and equality before God. This practice is so well-known that you'll often see people in synagogues wearing sneakers with their formal clothes, which perfectly captures what is Yom Kippur's blend of the sacred and the practical. Physical intimacy is also refrained from on Yom Kippur. The goal is to separate from earthly pleasures and dedicate the day to spiritual connection and personal growth.
Is Yom Kippur In The Bible?
Yes, Yom Kippur is directly mentioned in the Bible and plays a significant role in Jewish tradition. You can find references to it in the Book of Leviticus and again in the Book of Numbers. These texts outline the importance of the day, how it should be observed and the spiritual meaning behind it. The clearest mention comes in Leviticus 16:29, where God instructs the Jewish people to set aside the tenth day of the seventh month (known as Tishrei in today's Jewish calendar) as a special time. On this day, people should "afflict their souls" through fasting, avoid all work and seek spiritual cleansing from their wrongdoings.
Leviticus 16 goes into even greater detail about the special rituals performed by the High Priest in the ancient Temple. This was the only day of the year when the High Priest was allowed to enter the most sacred part of the Temple, called the Holy of Holies. During this ceremony, he would offer sacrifices and sprinkle animal blood as part of a symbolic cleansing process. One of the most well-known rituals involved sending a goat, often referred to as the scapegoat, into the wilderness, carrying the sins of the people away with it. This powerful act is one of the most meaningful Yom Kippur symbols, representing the removal of guilt and the possibility of spiritual renewal.
In Leviticus 23, the commandment to observe Yom Kippur is repeated. Here, it's emphasized that anyone who works or does not fast on this holy day would be spiritually cut off from the community. The Bible emphasizes just how serious this day is by calling it "Shabbat Shabbaton," which translates to "Sabbath of Sabbaths" or "Sabbath of Complete Rest." Even if Yom Kippur falls on a regular weekday, it carries the same weight as the most solemn Sabbath.
What’s more, the Bible presents Yom Kippur as both a personal and community-wide opportunity for spiritual cleansing. People seek forgiveness not only from God but also from each other, recognizing that repairing relationships with fellow humans opens the door to divine forgiveness. This tradition of asking friends and family for forgiveness on the evening before Yom Kippur creates a beautiful cycle of healing that strengthens entire communities.
Starting forty days before Yom Kippur on the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, communities begin special practices like blowing the shofar each morning and reciting specific psalms. Many communities also begin saying special prayers called Selichot in the early morning hours, creating an atmosphere of reverence and spiritual preparation that builds toward the climactic day.
Yom Kippur Greetings
Can you say happy Yom Kippur to someone? Technically, not really. As previously mentioned, Yom Kippur is a rather solemn observance meant for serious reflection, fasting and atonement rather than celebration. Because of its contemplative nature, saying "Happy Yom Kippur" isn't really appropriate, even if your intentions are kind.
Instead, one of the most traditional phrases you might hear is "g'mar chatima tovah". This Hebrew expression means "may you have a good final sealing," which connects to the traditional teaching that during the High Holy Days, one's destiny for the upcoming year is inscribed during Rosh Hashanah and then finalized or "sealed" when Yom Kippur concludes. A shorter, more casual version of this greeting is "g'mar tov." Both versions are typically shared in the days leading up to Yom Kippur or during the start of the fast.
Another common greeting you may hear is "tzom kal" which means "easy fast." In English, it's not unusual for people to say, "Have an easy fast." While fasting isn't meant to be comfortable, the sentiment behind this phrase is supportive and kind. Some prefer to say "have a purposeful fast" instead, which more closely reflects the spirit of the day.
You may also hear a few general Jewish holiday greetings on Yom Kippur, though they are more commonly used for festive occasions. For example, "chag sameach" means "happy holiday" and "gut yontiff" is a Yiddish phrase meaning "good day." While these are well-meaning, they're typically better suited for joyful holidays like a Passover meal or Sukkot rather than Yom Kippur.
Now that you understand the answer to "What is Yom Kippur" and its deep significance, you can appreciate why this ancient tradition continues to resonate with millions of people to this day. In a world where the very idea of setting aside 25 hours for complete reflection feels utterly daunting, this sacred practice offers a chance to step back and reconnect with what truly matters. Growth, forgiveness and a renewal of the most important relationships in our lives.
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