Yom Kippur, recognized as the Day of Atonement, stands as the most sacred day in the Jewish religious calendar. This significant observance entails a 25-hour fast that commences at sunset and concludes at nightfall. The specific timings for fasting vary across different locations, providing a unified occasion for reflection and repentance.
During Yom Kippur, observant Jews engage in atonement for the sins committed over the past year, and this period is typically marked by a significant reduction in vehicular traffic throughout Israel. In Jerusalem, the fast is set to begin at 5:44 PM and will end at 6:59 PM. In Tel Aviv, fasting starts at 6:04 PM and culminates at 7:01 PM. Be’er Sheva observes the fast from 6:06 PM to 7:00 PM, while in Haifa, the timings are from 5:55 PM to 7:00 PM.
Across major cities in North America, the fasting schedule varies as well. In New York City, observants will begin their fast at 6:19 PM, concluding at 7:16 PM. Miami follows at 6:49 PM to 7:40 PM, and in Los Angeles, the fast lasts from 6:19 PM to 7:13 PM. Washington D.C. participants will fast from 6:32 PM to 7:28 PM, while in Toronto, the fast runs from 6:40 PM to 7:38 PM.
Internationally, the observance continues. In Paris, the fast begins at 7:11 PM and ends at 8:14 PM. London observes from 6:20 PM to 7:25 PM, while in Berlin, the timings are set from 6:25 PM to 7:31 PM.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the observance is similarly significant. Melbourne’s fast will start at 6:06 PM and conclude at 7:05 PM, while Buenos Aires has set its times from 6:39 PM to 7:39 PM. Johannesburg participants observe the fast from 5:50 PM to 6:43 PM.
As communities come together in solemn reflection and prayer, Yom Kippur serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of atonement, self-improvement, and the collective pursuit of forgiveness and renewal.