Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is the culmination of the 40 days of reviewing our actions, of trying to do better, which begins with the month of Elul, and then continues with Rosh Hashanah and the remaining ‘days of penitence’. Like all days in the Jewish calendar, it is marked from sunset to sunset, so begins at nightfall.

It is a day when Jews are totally cut off from our normal routine, and one of the ways in which this is done is by fasting. Strict observance requires no food or drink for the 25 hours of the fast, but this may not be possible for medical reasons. Indeed, the Machzor, the High Holyday prayer book of the Movement for Reform Judaism, on pages 674/5 contains a special blessing to be said by those required to eat on this day. While fasting is a very important part of Yom Kippur, for all those who are able to, within Reform thought and practice, it is not regarded as an end, but as an aid to the prayers and the true purpose of the day.

While individuals may not stay in synagogue for the whole day, the services continue throughout the day. The service for the eve of Yom Kippur is called the Kol Nidre, from the opening words sung. The Kol Nidre service is the only evening service when the tallit, prayer shawl, is worn. The day itself has 5 consecutive services. The Musaf, or additional, service re-enacts as much as possible the ancient Yom Kippur ritual, described in the Torah, when the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies, to seek atonement. A particularly poignant service for many is the Yizkor service, when deceased loved ones are remembered. And the day ends with Neilah, the concluding service, and a long blast of the Shofar, the ram’s horn.

While it is a time for atonement, we are repeatedly taught that Yom Kippur atones for sins committed against God. For sins committed against an individual, one should ideally ask forgiveness of the person wronged before Yom Kippur. By the end of the long day, there is a feeling that somehow there is genuine forgiveness, and we are enabled to start a new year.

More Information:

Find the latest dates for upcoming-festivals in the Reform Movement Calendar.

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