Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism, follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Known as the Day of Atonement, it is a time when Jewish individuals may engage in fasting, attend synagogue services, or observe the day in various other ways. The holiday marks the culmination of the period initiated by Rosh Hashanah, which sets the stage for the upcoming year.
According to Danielle Kranjec, associate vice president of Jewish education at Hillel International, “On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed,” illustrating that the events of the coming year are influenced by the actions taken during this time of reflection and atonement.
Yom Kippur in 2024 begins at sunset on Friday, October 11, and concludes at nightfall on Saturday, October 12. The holiday occurs 10 days after Rosh Hashanah.
The significance of Yom Kippur lies in its focus on reflection and repentance for sins committed in the past year. Many Jews attend services, reciting special prayers and songs. Steven T. Katz, a professor of Jewish and Holocaust studies at Boston University, emphasizes that this time offers individuals an opportunity to reset their relationships and reaffirm their ethical commitments: “It represents the moment that is established for reorienting ourselves in the right direction.”
Additionally, some people use this time to apologize to those they may have wronged, as forgiveness is a deeply valued concept within the tradition. Kranjec notes that individuals often reach out to friends and family to seek forgiveness for past grievances.
Fasting for 25 hours is a common practice during Yom Kippur, which means refraining from food and drink from the beginning of the holiday until it ends. Kranjec explains that this observance allows individuals to move beyond the physical constraints of the body. Other common practices include avoiding bathing, wearing leather shoes, and engaging in physical intimacy, all intended to diminish the focus on oneself and reinforce humility.
In preparation for Yom Kippur, families often gather for festive meals before the fast begins and partake in celebratory meals once the fast concludes. The shofar, a ceremonial horn made from a ram’s horn, is famously blown to signal the conclusion of the holiday, providing a shared moment of community as prayers are recited and the fast broken.
When referencing the holiday, it is not customary to say “Happy Yom Kippur,” as the day is not considered joyous. Instead, many choose to say “have a meaningful Yom Kippur” or “a good Yom Kippur,” focusing on the purpose and significance of the observance.