Yom Kippur

Judaism · reflection · spiritual

The Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur falls on the 10th day of the Hebrew month Tishrei, which lands sometime between late September and early October in the regular calendar. It's the most important holiday in the Jewish faith.

Fasting and prayer. On Yom Kippur, Jewish people fast for about 25 hours, meaning they don't eat or drink anything. They spend the day in prayer and reflection, thinking about mistakes they've made and how to do better.

Time for forgiveness. This holy day is all about saying sorry for wrongs and seeking forgiveness from God and from people you may have hurt. It's seen as a spiritual fresh start for the new year.

Ancient tradition. Yom Kippur comes from ancient Jewish teachings and has been celebrated for thousands of years. It's described in the Torah, the most sacred text in Judaism.

Solemn observance. Many Jewish communities gather in synagogues to pray together during Yom Kippur. People often wear white clothing as a symbol of purity and new beginnings.