Things You'll Need:
- White clothing
- Kittel (ceremonial robe)
- Kippah or yarmulke (traditional head covering for men)
- Shoes that are not made from leather
- Tallit (prayer shawl)
-
Step 1
Dress predominately in white on Yom Kippur, according to ancient customs. This comes from the Bible, where Isaiah 1:18 says: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."
-
Step 2
Consider wearing a kittel, which is a traditional white robe used to bury the dead. A kittel is often worn to recognize the dire importance of Yom Kippur, that life and death hang in the balance. Married men may also wear a kittel to symbolize inner purity.
-
Step 3
Avoid wearing leather shoes, which is one of the Five Prohibitions of Yom Kippur. This practice evolved from the tradition of removing one's shoes or sandals before entering a temple or synagogue. In addition, leather shoes are considered to be the most comfortable footwear and the spirit of Yom Kippur is to avoid all earthly comforts and pleasures in order to concentrate on being forgiven for all of your sins.
-
Step 4
Wear a tallit, which is a four-cornered prayer shawl that is reserved for holy days in Judaism. Tallits are often kept as a greatly treasured possession for a person's lifetime and additional reverence is shown if the tallit is unusually old and worn, signifying the long-standing commitment of its owner.
-
Step 5
Cover your head with a kippah or yarmulke if you are a Jewish man observing Yom Kippur in a temple or synagogue. Doing this is considered to be a sign of respect for God. Some women may also wear kippahs or yarmulkes, especially if they are Reformed Jews, although the majority of women cover their heads with scarfs, wigs or a modest hat.
