How to Celebrate Yom Kippur

The Jewish day of atonement happens at a different time every year in accordance to the Gregorian calendar, but it is always called the same thing: Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur concludes the week and a half long period known as the Jewish High Holidays. These start with the Jewish New Year celebration, Rosh Hashanah. Yom Kippur is a time for reflection, devotion and repentance. Once you have learned a bit about Yom Kippur, you will know exactly how to observe this holiday the next time it comes around.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself the day before. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a day full of prayers and thought. This extremely important day is underscored by the tradition of fasting for the twenty-four hour period of the holiday. This fast includes everything, even water. There is an exception if you have medication that must be taken. Otherwise, you are not allowed to eat or drink. Doing this is an attempt to focus your mind and deny your physical being.

2. Get yourself into the mindset of Yom Kippur. The Jewish religion has a very specific idea of repentance and atonement. It is Jewish law that, before you can even think about approaching God for forgiveness of sins committed against him, you must atone for your sins done to your fellow man. It is very common for Jews, on the days leading up to Yom Kippur, to approach people that they feel they have wronged during the year in order to seek atonement.

3. Find out about services in your area. Yom Kippur is a holiday that is best observed at a temple or synagogue with other observant Jews. The support will help you through the day. It is also easier to focus and meditate in an environment like a temple or synagogue. Yom Kippur starts at sundown on 10 Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar, but is different every year on the Gregorian calendar. This is the highest attended service of the Jewish calendar year.

4. Decide which services you want to attend. The first service of the Yom Kippur holiday is called Kol Nidrei service. It is named after the main prayer said during the service. This is the most popular service and is traditionally done at sundown. The next morning, there will be morning services the next day. It's followed by the Musaf service. The afternoon service traditionally follows with readings from the book of Jonah. The closing service--occuring at sundown--is called Neilah. This is always ended with the playing of the Shofar.

5. "Celebrate" Yom Kippur. While joyous celebration is usually not the tone of Yom Kippur, there is quite a bit of beautiful songs that are sung, both by choirs and the congregation, during this holiday of atonment. As mentioned before, the Kol Neidre is the first chance for you to celebrate with your congregation. The Kol Neidre prayer is often sung with great embellishment during the first part of this service, and can be very moving. Your "celebration" of the holiday is really your continuation and observance of your fast throughout the 24 hour period. You can augment this by attending the additional services that are available throught the day on Yom Kippur, proper. Finally, at the end of Yom Kippur at sundown, the real party begins with the breaking of the fast. It is tradition to celebrate this with a hearty spread of food that may include challah, pickled and smoked fishes and bagels with cream cheese.

6. Know the specific customs of the sect of Judaism whose temple or synagogue you are attending. If you are attending an Orthodox Yom Kippur service, many if not all, men will be wearing a Kittel. This is a white rope that covers their entire body. It is to be worn on the day of your wedding, during Yom Kippur and when you are buried. Also, the traditional black yarmulke is white on Yom Kippur. If you are attending a service with you significant other, you may find that you will not be able to sit with them, as Orthodox synagogue seating is separated by sex. In a Conservative temple, all of the men will be wearing a prayer shawl and yarmulke. In a Reform Temple, no one will be wearing a Kittel, and the prayer shawl and yarmulke are optional.

Tips & Warnings

• Get plenty of rest! A day full of prayer with no food can be exhausting.