How to Dress on Yom Kippur
Knowing how to properly dress on Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday also known as the Day of Atonement, will depend on how closely you follow the ancient rituals and customs of Judaism. While many Jews dress in a normal, yet respectful fashion, others carry on the traditions that have passed from generation to generation.
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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)
Instructions
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Dress on Yom Kippur
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tips & Warnings
Most temples and synagogues keep extra tallits on hand for Jewish men who have not brought theirs on Yom Kippur. While yarmulkes or kippahs (traditional headwear) may be worn by non-Jewish men who are observing Yom Kippur services, a tallit should never be worn by anyone who is not Jewish or not seeking to convert to Judaism.
