Yom Kippur
The Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish year.
Yom Kippur falls on 10 Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, usually in late September or early to mid October. It begins at sundown the evening before.
When Is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur falls on 10 Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, usually in late September or early to mid October. It begins at sundown the evening before.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
Yom Kippur is the day of communal and individual atonement, when Jews seek forgiveness from God and from one another for the wrongs of the past year. It is believed to be the day God seals the Book of Life for the coming year.
How It Is Observed
25-hour fast, synagogue services including Kol Nidre, prayer for the dead (Yizkor), white clothing, no leather shoes, no bathing or cosmetics. The day ends with a final shofar blast.
Sacred Text
“Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins.”
, Leviticus 16:30 ↗