🕊️ YOM KIPPUR 2025 – Oct 1-2

✡️ YOM KIPPUR ORIGIN & HISTORY

YOM KIPPUR, or the Day of Atonements (יוֹם כִּפּוּר‎ / Yom HaKippurim), is the holiest day in the Jewish faith, tracing ancient biblical times. It traditionally falls on the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. It’s always 10 days after Rosh HaShanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה / head of the year), the Jewish New Year.

Since the Jewish calendar is lunar-based, YOM KIPPUR usually occurs in September or early October in our Gregorian calendar. The observance is deeply rooted in the Torah, particularly in the Book of Leviticus (Leviticus 16:29-34), which outlines the rituals and commandments for this sacred day.

Rabbis teach when the shofar is blown on Rosh HaShanah, three books in heaven are opened: one for the righteous, one for the semi-righteous, and one for the wicked. The goal is to repent and strive to have your name written among the righteous.

Observant Jews use the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“repentance”) between Rosh HaShanah and YOM KIPPUR to try and tip the scales in their favor.

Biblical ORIGINS

Its formal Hebrew name is Yom HaKippurim and is first described in Leviticus, where God instructs Moses about the day of atonement. It’s a day for the Kohen Gadol (high priest) to perform specific rituals to atone for the sins of the people of Israel.

The high priest would enter the Holy of Holies (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים / the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant resided) to make an offering to cleanse the nation’s sins. One of the prominent rituals involved two goats: one was sacrificed, and the other “scapegoat” was sent into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the people’s sins.

Development in Temple JUDAISM

During the time of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, YOM KIPPUR was a major event. This was the only day of the year when the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies which was critical to maintaining the spiritual well-being of the entire community. He could enter the windowless square enclosure of four pillars to burn incense and sprinkle sacrificial animal blood.

Post-Destruction of the SECOND Temple

When the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD, many of the priestly rituals associated with YOM KIPPUR could no longer be performed. In response, Rabbinic Judaism reinterpreted the observance of YOM KIPPUR. Instead of relying on sacrifices, the focus shifted to personal atonement through prayer, fasting, and repentance.

This transformation ensured that YOM KIPPUR could continue to be observed in the absence of the Temple, focusing on self-reflection, confession, and reconciliation with both God and fellow man.

RABBINIC Tradition and the Talmud

The Talmud (תַּלְמוּד), which means “teaching” and is the primary source of Jewish religious law, elaborates on the themes of YOM KIPPUR, emphasizing it as a time for Teshuvah (תְּשׁוּבָה / repentance) and Kapparah (כפרות / atonement).

Teshuvah means “return” in Hebrew and refers to repenting and seeking forgiveness for wrongs committed against God and others. The rabbis taught that YOM KIPPUR offers the opportunity for Jews to repent for their sins and seek forgiveness directly from God for wrongs committed against Him and others.

But so-called interpersonal sins – those committed against another person – must be forgiven by the person wronged before seeking divine forgiveness. The Talmud also formalized the structure of the YOM KIPPUR liturgy, which includes the Vidui and the Kol Nidre.

Liturgical & Spiritual OBSERVANCE

YOM KIPPUR’s observance today includes fasting for 25 hours, refraining from work, and attending synagogue services. The prayers are structured around biblical themes such as the Kabbalistic five levels of the soul including Ma’ariv (evening prayer), Shacharis (morning prayer), Musaf (additional prayer), and Mincha (afternoon prayer) … diving inwards, unpacking that uncorrupted, deepest level of the soul until your essence stands alone with the spirit of the Lord.

Other prayers include the recitation of the Vidui (a public confession of sins), Al Chet (forgiveness for sins), and the Ne’ilah (the closing prayer) which marks the final chance to seek atonement before the Book of Life (ספר החיים / Sefer HaChaimis) is sealed for the coming year.

On this day, YHVH decides what the coming year will hold for everyone. God records this judgment in the Book of Life, which is the final attestation of His righteousness and salvation. To be inscribed in the Book, it’s not enough to pray and be forgiven by the Lord. You also must also make amends with others and seek their forgiveness. The Book of Life is written on Rosh HaShanah and sealed on YOM KIPPUR.

Another significant part of the day is the Kol Nidre, a declaration recited at the very beginning of YOM KIPPUR. This prayer annuls all personal vows made to God that we were unable to fulfill, facilitating reconciliation and renewal.

SHOFAR – Call to Repentance & Divine Judgment

A shofar is an ancient musical instrument made usually from a ram’s horn. Tekiah is a long, single blast; Shevarim, three short blasts; Teruah, nine rapid staccato-like blasts; and Tekiah Gedolah, a single blast held as long as possible. This is when the heavens are closed, the gates are locked, and the book is shut.

The Bible calls the time “a memorial of blowing of trumpets” (Leviticus 23:24). When Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, God instructed seven priests to carry a shofar as they surrounded the city. Then they blew a long blast and the walls came tumbling down (Joshua 6:2–5). The Rabbis call this time Rosh HaShanah (“head of the year”).

The shofar’s blasts are a divine call to return to God and seek forgiveness. The sound is meant to awaken the soul. Despite its somber tone evoking awe, reverence, and anticipation, the shofar also carries a message of hope and renewal.

When Jews hear the shofar, they know it’s a call to their people, be it prayer, safety, or war. In June 1967, Rabbi Shlomo Goren blew the shofar atop the Temple Mount after Israeli paratroopers reunited Jerusalem, signaling the end of 19 years of exile from Judaism’s holiest site and calling the Jewish people home.

MODERN Significance

Today, Jews around the world observe YOM KIPPUR, regardless of their level of religious observance. Even many secular Jews recognize the day as one of introspection, fasting, and attending at least some part of the synagogue services. Perhaps its enduring significance lies in universal themes of forgiveness, repentance, and spiritual renewal, which transcend time and culture.

YOM KIPPUR’s origins are found in ancient Israelite practices, and though the destruction of the Temple transformed its observance, the core theme of atonement has remained central. Through centuries of tradition, it’s evolved into a deeply personal and communal day focused on reflection, reconciliation, and spiritual growth.

📜 HOW to Celebrate & Observe YOM KIPPUR?

Not sure how to LOVE the observance? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some traditional & personal ways you can observe during YOM KIPPUR!

💙 Fasting

Fasting from both food and drink for 25 hours is a central part of the YOM KIPPUR observance. This symbolizes physical and spiritual purification and focuses the mind on reflection and prayer.

💙 Prayer & Synagogue Attendance

Attend synagogue services or pray at home. Many synagogues hold special services throughout the day. Most do spend most of YOM KIPPUR at the synagogue, participating in services such as Kol Nidre (the opening prayer), the recitation of the Vidui (confession of sins), and Ne’ilah (the closing service). The prayers focus on repentance, forgiveness, and renewal.

💙 Self-Reflection & Repentance (Teshuva)

Spend time in quiet contemplation. Reflect on past actions, mistakes, and areas for improvement. Consider your actions over the past year, seek forgiveness for your mistakes from others, and commit to personal growth for the coming year. During the Amidah (the central prayer), there’s a period of silent prayer for personal reflection and introspection.

Teshuva is the Hebrew word for repentance. It involves acknowledging your wrongdoings and committing to change – saying “you’re sorry” and “never doing it again”.

💙 Apology & Forgiveness

Before YOM KIPPUR, it’s customary to ask forgiveness from anyone you may have wronged. It’s also a time to forgive others, ensuring that interpersonal relationships are repaired.

💙 Charity or Tzedakah (צְדָקָה)

Acts of charity are important during YOM KIPPUR amending for your mistakes. Giving to those in need reflects the day’s theme of repairing the world and taking responsibility for the community.

💙 Disconnecting from Daily Life & Wearing White

Observing a “Sabbath of Sabbaths” requires many Jews not to eat & drink but to also refrain from work, applying lotions or makeup, marital relations, using electronics, washing or bathing, or wearing leather shoes. This helps create an atmosphere of solemnity, humility, equality, and spiritual focus.

Some people wear white clothing to symbolize purity and the desire for spiritual cleansing anew. Even outside the synagogue, YOM KIPPUR can be a day of quiet reflection. Journaling, meditating, or spending time in nature are personal ways to connect additionally.

💙 Tikkun Olam (תִּקּוּן עוֹלָם)

In the modern era, this is the Hebrew word for “repairing the world”. It involves a broader Jewish commitment working to make the world a better place through acts of kindness and compassion. In Jewish teachings, this is any action that helps improve the world and bring it closer to the harmony it was meant to have. Tikkun olam implies that while the world is innately good, “Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare but also for the welfare of society at large”.

💙 Reciting Yizkor (הַזְכָּרַת נְשָׁמוֹת)

During YOM KIPPUR services, there’s a memorial prayer called Hazkarat Neshamot (or shortened to Yizkor) for those who have lost loved ones. It offers a chance to remember and honor them during this reflective time.

💙 Neilah (closing of the gates)

The shofar is blown after the Neilah prayer at the end of YOM KIPPUR, symbolizing the conclusion of the Day of Judgment. The final shofar blast is called “Tekiah Gedolah” marking closure at the end of the fast. It’s a symbol of spiritual renewal, sealing God’s judgments in the Book of Life, and the promise of a sweet year!

💙 Breaking the Fast

At the end of YOM KIPPUR, a communal or family meal is enjoyed to break the fast. It’s usually a light meal, marking the transition from solemn reflection back to regular life and the daily grind … infusing every aspect of life with the Divine.

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #YomKippur, #Atonement, #Forgiveness, #FaithHolidays, #SeptemberHolidays, #OctoberHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ YOM KIPPUR.

LEARN more about the importance & history of YOM KIPPUR

KIDS EXPLAIN THE HIGH HOLIDAY

KOL NIDRE – THE ANCIENT MELODY

WHAT IS YOM KIPPUR?

SEVENTEEN Key Facts you never knew about YOM KIPPUR

1. Yom Kippur is the second of the High Holy Days after Rosh Hashanah.
2. One of the few Jewish holidays where fasting is mandatory for adults, making it the most widely observed fast in Judaism.
3. Children and pregnant women are not permitted to fast.
4. Yom Kippur begins with the Kol Nidre prayer, which is sung with deep emotion. It’s not about sin or repentance but about annulling personal vows made to God that we couldn’t keep.
5. Unlike a typical day, Yom Kippur’s fast lasts about 25 hours to ensure the day is fully observed from sundown to nightfall the next day.
6. Yom Kippur is the most attended synagogue service of the year. Even many secular Jews who don’t attend regularly often participate in services.
7. Many Jews won’t wear leather shoes on Yom Kippur as a sign of humility and self-denial of material comfort.
8. People are also not supposed to bathe, wash, wear perfumes or lotions as well.
9. Like Shabbat, Yom Kippur is a complete day of rest. Observant Jews refrain from work, using electronics, or engaging in other activities to fully focus on the spiritual aspects of the day.
10. Not just about seeking forgiveness from God – it’s also a day to make amends with others.
11. Most people wear white during the holiday, symbolizing purity and a fresh start.
12. Married men often wear a white robe called a kittle, used for both Yom Kippur and burial, symbolizing humility and the transient nature of mortality.
13. Yom Kippur ends with a long, final blast of the shofar, called the Tekiah Gedolah.
14. Traditionally, the fast is broken with a meal called “hafrada” which has cheese and milk.
15. The Yom Kippur War occurred when Syria and Egypt attacked Israel on Yom Kippur hoping that their army would be distracted by the holiday.
16. Famed Major League Baseball star pitcher Sandy Koufax was Jewish & decided not to pitch in Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur!
17. The next major Jewish holiday after Yom Kippur is called Sukkot.

Famous JEWISH PEOPLE born around the 10th Day of Tishrei

• Julius Henry Marx (Groucho)

  Legendary Jewish comedian and actor. Groucho was part of the Marx Brothers, known for his quick wit and unique comedic style. Born 1890.

  GROUCH MARX Quote

  “Politics doesn’t make strange bedfellows – marriage does.”

• Leonard Cohen

  Canadian Jewish singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist, best known for iconic songs like “Hallelujah” and his deep, contemplative lyrics. Born 1934.

  LEONARD COHEN Quote

  “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

• Bill Murray

  American actor and comedian, best known for his dry wit and unique comedic style in films like Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation. Murray was actually born on Yom Kippur (Hebrew Year 5711) in 1950.

  BILL MURRAY Quote

  “Don’t think about your errors or failures; otherwise, you’ll never do a thing.”

Future DATES for YOM KIPPUR

🗝️ Yom Kippur FAQ

WHEN is YOM KIPPUR?

• YOM KIPPUR is an annual observance by the Jewish people held on 10th day of the Jewish Month of Tishrei each year on the Hebrew Calendar.

Do CHILDREN fast on Yom Kippur?

• No, children under the age of Bar or Bat Mitzvah (13 for boys, 12 for girls) are not required to fast. Pregnant women and individuals with health issues are also exempt from fasting.

What happens if someone wronged does NOT FORGIVE you?

• They should try at least two more times to gain forgiveness. – Orach Chaim 606:1

What’s an appropriate way to GREET someone for Yom Kippur?

• Popular HEBREW greetings

• Tzom Kal “Have an easy or light fast”
• Gmar Chatima Tovah “May you be signed and sealed in the Book of Life”
• Gmar Tov “Good finish”
• Shana tova “Happy New Year”
• Chag sameach “Happy holiday”
• Tizku leshanim rabot “You will have many years”
• Yom tov (Yiddish: “gut yontiff”) “Good day”

• Popular ENGLISH greetings

• Good day.
• Wishing you a good seal.
• A good final sealing.
• Have a meaningful fast.
• Have a sweet year!
• Have a good holy day!