Yom Kippur Meaning and Traditions
In 2022, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Tuesday, October 4. Learn about the meaning behind Yom Kippur, as well as the special traditions and recipes related to this holiday.
What Is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” in Hebrew. This is the holiest Jewish holiday of the year and ends the ten days of High Holidays or “Days of Awe,” which begin with Rosh Hashanah.
- Traditionally, Jewish people refrain from work and all adults fast from sundown the evening before Yom Kippur until nightfall the next day.
- This day is about asking God to forgive sins, reflecting on past mistakes accepting repentance, and praying.
- Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse and purify the body and soul.
- Many will wear all-white clothing to also symbolize purity.
- On the day of Yom Kippur itself, there are many traditional prayers. One of the most important prayers describes the atonement ritual performed by high priests during ancient times.
- Yom Kippur ends with a single blast that is blown on the shofar—a trumpet made from a ram’s horn.
When Is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is held on the 10th day of Tishrei, ten days after the start of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year).
Note that the Jewish calendar is different than today’s civil calendar (the Gregorian calendar). It is a “Luni-Solar” calendar, established by the cycles of the Moon and the Sun, so the lengths of days vary by the season, controlled by the times of sunset, nightfall, dawn, and sunrise.
All Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the date listed.
| Year | Hebrew Year | Yom Kippur Begins |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5783 | Sunset October 4 (to nightfall October 5) |
| 2023 | 5784 | Sunset September 24 (to nightfall September 25) |
| 2024 | 5785 | Sunset October 11 (to nightfall October 12) |
| 2025 | 5786 | Sunset October 1 (to nightfall October 2) |
Yom Kippur Traditions
The day before Yom Kippur (and fasting), a special and bountiful meal is enjoyed with a candle lighting at the end of the meal. Many people remember those who passed before them. Some Jewish people also visit cemeteries on this day before Yom Kippur.
Another tradition leading up to Yom Kippur is to perform charitable acts. Many people give money or time to the poorest among them.
After Yom Kippur ends with the shofar, there is much celebration, music, and dancing. A festive “break-the-fast” meal is served with lots of satisfying breakfast foods such as bagels and spreads, kugel, blintzes, and egg dishes. See how to make your own bagels!
If you observe Yom Kippur, please share your traditions below!
ADVERTISEMENT
I, too, am a Christian who observes the Feasts of the Lord. Thank you so much for your recognition of this time appointed by God!
I enjoyed reading your article on Yom Kippur observed by the Jewish people. I am a Christian and have observed this holy day of Atonement given by God to all his people for the last 55 years. The key point is Leviticus 23 calls them the feasts of the Lord, not just the Jewish feasts. There are 7 annual festivals given by God and my family and I and many others observe them annually. Do a search and you will find many Christians observe them. They are full of deep meaning of our past and future.
Indeed. Christ observed all of the Lord's holidays. Modern Christians obey a religion created by sun worshippers in Rome, and do not observe the Torah/ teaching of Christ at all.
One does not worship Shabbat. One Worships G-d during Shabbat. It is a day of rest and contemplation. G-d rested on the 7th Day of Creation (according to tradition). Therefore, we rest on the 7th day (for us, it is Saturday).
Thank you for all that your publication provides. This helps to heal the gap between Judaism and Christianity. Your works preserve the historical context of the role of the preservation of the knowledge of the continuity and intertwining of the solar and lunar cycles.
Comments