What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) is the day of repentance, the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Described as a Shabbat shabbaton (Shabbat of solemn rest) in the Torah, Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection. Yom Kippur is the culmination of a period of time during the month of Elul in which Jews are required to take stock of their lives, to ask forgiveness from friends and family, and to take steps toward self-improvement for the year to come.
For Yom Kippur Break Fast Recipes, click here
How is Yom Kippur observed?
Yom Kippur is observed for a 25-hour period, beginning at sundown, by refraining from work that is prohibited on Shabbat, plus five additional prohibitions: 1) eating or drinking; 2) bathing; 3) anointing the body with oil; 4) wearing leather shoes; and 5) sexual relations. There are five synagogue services over the course of Yom Kippur: Kol Nidrei (evening service focused on the cantor’s confession on behalf of the community); Shachrit (morning service); Musaf (additional service); Mincha (afternoon service); and Ne’ilah (closing service). It is customary to also include a Yizkor service (memorial for those who have died this year) as part of the morning service. Yom Kippur services contain many recitations of the Vidui (confession), which is a list of communal transgressions for which we ask forgiveness.
Traditionally, Jews believe that after judging a person for their deeds over the past year, God decides who will be sealed in the Book of Life (to live for another year) and who will die. Others simply use the day as a time to reflect on what they want to do differently this year. Some people wear white on Yom Kippur to symbolize the purity of the day.
What kinds of foods are eaten for the Yom Kippur Break-Fast?
There are two meals associated with Yom Kippur: the pre-fast meal and the break-fast meal (obviously, for the duration of the fasting holiday, no food or drink is allowed). The pre-fast meal is known as seudah ha-mafaseket (literally, “meal of separation” or “concluding meal”). Some traditional recipe choices for the meal include: rice, kreplach (stuffed dumplings), challah (dipped in honey, as Yom Kippur occurs 10 days after Rosh Hashanah), chicken, or fish. Meals usually should be prepared with minimum salt, as this could cause dehydration during the fast. It is important to drink plenty of water, of course. The break-fast meal usually consists of hi-carb dairy foods, and sometimes brunch-style recipes like sweet kugel (noodle pudding), bagels, quiches, soufflés, eggs, cheese, etc. Some families indulge in heavier traditional meals with soup and brisket.
What is the proper greeting for Yom Kippur?
The greeting for Yom Kippur is “G’mar Hatima Tova” (May you be sealed in the Book of Life), or the shorter version “G’mar Tov.” It is also customary to say “Have a meaningful fast” before the holiday begins.
When is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th of Tishrei.
Yom Kippur occurs on the following dates:
Jewish Year 5783: Sunset October 4, 2022 – Nightfall October 5, 2022
Jewish Year 5784: Sunset September 24, 2023 – Nightfall September 25, 2023
Jewish Year 5785: Sunset October 11, 2024 – Nightfall October 12, 2024
Jewish Year 5786: Sunset October 1, 2025 – Nightfall October 2, 2025
Jewish Year 5787: Sunset September 20, 2026 – Nightfall September 21, 2026
Jewish Year 5788: Sunset October 10, 2027 – Nightfall October 11, 2027
Jewish Year 5789: Sunset September 29, 2028 – Nightfall September 30, 2028
Jewish Year 5790: Sunset September 18, 2029 – Nightfall September 19, 2029
Jewish Year 5791: Sunset October 6, 2030 – Nightfall October 7, 2030