What is Yom Kippur?

According to Jewish scripture and tradition, the first Yom Kippur occurred in the time of Moses. After the leader of the Israelites first received the Ten Commandments from God, he found his people worshipping an idol and broke the stone tablets in anger. He returned to Mount Sinai to pray for God’s forgiveness on their behalf.

After 40 days of prayer, God granted them forgiveness and gave Moses a second set of commandments. Moses then descended the mountain and told the Israelites they were forgiven.

Rabbinic tradition states that the date Moses descended was Yom Kippur. It has since been recognized in the Torah as a holiday of forgiveness.

In the Jewish faith, there are two dates known as High Holy Days—Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur. The two days bookend a 10-day period known as the Days of Awe or the Days of Repentance, starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur.

After celebrating the beginning of the new year on Rosh Hashanah, the faithful pray, confess wrongdoings, seek forgiveness, give to charity and perform good deeds. This is the time in the Jewish calendar when it is said that God decides whose names will be inscribed in the Book of Life or the Book of Death. On Yom Kippur, their fates are sealed for the year.

Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar—in September or October of the Gregorian calendar—and falls on a different date each year.

Here is when Yom Kippur occurs for the next few years:

• Yom Kippur 2024: Sunset October 11 to nightfall October 12
• Yom Kippur 2025: Sunset October 1 to nightfall October 2
• Yom Kippur 2026: Sunset September 20 to nightfall September 21

The Torah instructs Jewish adults—apart from the sick, elderly and new mothers—to abstain from eating and drinking between sundown on the evening before Yom Kippur and nightfall on Yom Kippur. The purpose of fasting is to deny physical pleasures and focus solely on one’s spiritual connection with God.

Additionally, the Torah instructs that observers refrain from bathing and washing, using cosmetic products like lotions and creams, wearing leather shoes and engaging in sexual intimacy.

Services

Five prayer services take place during Yom Kippur, the first on the eve of the holiday and the last before sunset on the following day. Those services are: 

• Kol Nidrei – an evening service that marks the beginning of Yom Kippur
• Shacharit – an early morning service with a Torah reading
• Musaf – a second morning service with a Torah reading
• Mincha – an afternoon service with a Torah reading
• Neilah – a final service for Yom Kippur

Common prayers

Yom Kippur prayer services use a special prayer book known as the machzor. One of the most important prayers specific to Yom Kippur describes the atonement ritual performed by high priests during ancient times.

Which prayers are said depends on the service and identity of the participants. One prayer, called Viddui, means “confession” and is said right before Yom Kippur. It is repeated several times throughout the High Holy Day.

Rituals

Blowing the shofar—an instrument made from a ram’s horn—is central to Yom Kippur services. On Yom Kippur, a single long blast is sounded at the end of the final service to mark the end of the fast.

We hope that this article has helped you understand a little more about Yom Kippur. Whether you observe the High Holy Day or know someone who does, we appreciate the opportunity to share special holidays like this with you!

Looking for more ways to celebrate with the Jewish community? Check out these posts:

• What is Rosh Hashanah?
• What is Jewish American Heritage Month?
• What is Purim?
• What is Passover?
• What is Hanukkah?: Sharing in the spirit of a joyous Jewish holiday