What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur or the "Day of Atonement" is the most holy of all the Jewish holidays. It's a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance. Along with the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is part of the High Holidays. Similar to secular New Year's where we make resolutions, on Yom Kippur we acknowledge past sins, ask for forgiveness, and make plans to improve ourselves.

Fasting

On Yom Kippur, like Shabbat, we refrain from working. To concentrate on repenting, we fast (no eating or drinking) for 25 hours, sunset to sunset. Those under bar/bat mitzvah age, sick, or pregnant are excused. We also refrain from bathing, wearing leather shoes, anointing the body with oil, and sexual intercourse.

The meal before fasting is heartier to prepare us for the day. After fasting, it's time to break the fast — bagels and lox, noodle kugel, quiche, blintzes. Bring on the carbs.

The Book of Life

Jews believe that on Yom Kippur it is determined who will be sealed in the Book of Life. It is customary to say "May you be sealed in the book of life."

Blowing the Shofar

Yom Kippur ends with one long shofar blow — from a ram's horn.