What is Yom Kippur? – The Day of the Atonement
Yom Kippur Israeli Flag
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Just before sunset Sunday, thousands of Jews will fill hundreds of synagogues for the start of Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, lasting almost 26 hours, is marked traditionally with fasting that sharpens the edge of prayer, repentance and forgiveness.
Many Jews who rarely attend synagogue will participate in Yom Kippur services.
Some major synagogues will have three or more simultaneous services to accommodate the overflow.
It is the culmination of the Days of Awe, which began with the two-day Rosh Hashana or New Year celebrations Sept. 18-20.
Then, Jews wish each other a good write-up in the ledger of positives and negatives believers feel is maintained on their behaviour.
On Yom Kippur, they greet each other stressing the positive, with the assumptive statement that the “good write-up” is completed.
Traditionally, enemies and bad debts are forgiven, as the slate is wiped clean for a new beginning.
Families will gather late this afternoon for a hearty meal before heading to synagogues for the evening’s highlight – the confessional Kol Nidre prayer, repeated three times while congregants stand.
The fast ends just after sundown tomorrow, when many will start eating by munching on honey cake, signalling the start of a sweet year.
In Jerusalem, the Israeli-occupied West Bank is routinely closed before Jewish holidays for fear of attacks by Palestinian militants.
Israel comes to a standstill during Yom Kippur: television and radio broadcasts are suspended, public transport, ports, airports and entertainment venues are shut down.
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