1. What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the year for Jews. The holiday marks the end of the 10 days of repentance (or the 10 Days of Awe) that begins with the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah. On Yom Kippur, Jews pray for their sins to be forgiven before the coming year and ask for forgiveness from those they’ve transgressed over the past year. Religious Jews believe if one sincerely repents, G-d will forgive their sins.

2. What is Yom Kippur’s Translation?

In English, Yom Kippur translates to “Day of Atonement.”

3. What are the Jewish High Holidays?

The Jewish High Holidays are the two holidays that fall within the Hebrew month of Tishrei–Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The time between the High Holidays represents the climax in a process of teshuvah, or repentance, that is initiated on the first day of the month Elul, and culminates on Yom Kippur.

4. When is Yom Kippur?

In 2024, Yom Kippur will start just before sunset on Friday, Oct 11 and conclude on the nightfall of Saturday, October 12. Yom Kippur occurs every year on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and falls within September or October.

5. How Do Jews Observe Yom Kippur?

The night before Yom Kippur, Jewish congregations recite Kol Nidre, or “All Vows,” a declaration of vows they promise G-d to uphold in the coming year. The declaration is chanted melodically three times over. 

On the day of Yom Kippur there are several services lasting the duration of the day. The Torah is read and oftentimes there’s a Yizkor service where memorial prayers are recited for the deceased. 

Observant Jews practice a period of fasting during the entirety of Yom Kippur where they refrain from eating, drinking, wearing leather, bathing, and sex. White is often worn on the holiday to symbolize purity and to remind Jews of their mortality, as the color is said to represent death.

6. How Do Jews Mark the End of Yom Kippur?

The end of Yom Kippur is marked with the blowing of the shofar after the Neilah service which is known as the “closing of the gates.” Neilah concludes with the Shema prayer, which emphasizes faith in G-d. The conclusion of the holiday initiates the “break fast” when the fasters can once again eat and drink. In Ashkenazi tradition it’s common to eat a break fast meal of bagels and kugel, which don’t require preparation during the holiday.

7. What Is the Customary Yom Kippur Greeting?

It is customary to wish someone an “easy fast” on Yom Kippur, which, in Hebrew, is “tzom kal.” Another traditional greeting is “g’mar chatima tova,” or “a good final sealing,” pertaining to the writing of a Jew’s fate for the year on Rosh Hashanah, which is sealed on Yom Kippur.