Yom Kippur 2023: What to know about the most holy day in Judaism

Chad Murphy, Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most holy day of the Jewish year.

It's considered the most important holiday, the "Sabbath of Sabbaths," in Judaism. Falling in the month of Tishrei (September or October in the Gregorian calendar), it marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Here's what to know about the holiday.

When is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur is the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. In 2023, it will occur from sunset on Sunday, Sept. 24, until sundown onMonday, Sept. 25.

The history of Yom Kippur and its significance

In Judaism, Yom Kippur is when God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.

According to tradition, the first Yom Kippur took place after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and arrival at Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Descending from the mountain, Moses discovered his people worshipping a golden calf and shattered the sacred tablets in anger. Because the Israelites atoned for their idolatry, God forgave their sins and offered Moses a second set of tablets.

How is Yom Kippur observed?

Yom Kippur is observed for a 25-hour period by refraining from work prohibited on Shabbat. It is also marked with a fast and refraining from earthly pleasures such as bathing, wearing cosmetics or using lotions and creams, wearing leather shoes (something seen as a luxury in ancient times), and sexual relations.

Yom Kippur prayer services

Five services are held:

  • Maariv, with its Kol Nidrei (annulment of vows) service, on the eve of Yom Kippur.

  • Shacharit, the morning prayer, which includes a reading from Leviticus followed by the Yizkor memorial service.

  • Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple service.

  • Minchah, which includes the reading of the Book of Jonah.

  • Neilah, the “closing of the gates” service at sunset, followed by the shofar blast marking the end of the fast.

Yom Kippur traditions

During the 40 days before Yom Kippur, the shofar is sounded every morning and Psalm 27 is recited after the morning and afternoon prayers.

In the week leading up to the holiday, it is common for Jews to make donations or volunteer their time, a way to atone and seek God’s forgiveness.

The day before Yom Kippur is set aside for eating and preparing.

There are two meals associated with Yom Kippur, the pre-fast meal and the break-fast meal. The pre-fast meal is known as seudah ha-mafaseket (literally, “meal of separation” or “concluding meal”). Some traditional recipes include: rice, kreplach (stuffed dumplings), challah (dipped in honey), chicken or fish. The break-fast meal usually consists of hi-carb foods like sweet kugel (noodle pudding), bagels, quiches, soufflés, eggs, cheese and more. Some families indulge in heavier traditional meals with soup and brisket.

What to say to someone as a greeting on Yom Kippur?

Although it is a day of repentance and self-examination, it is not a sad day. So it is appropriate to greet people warmly when you meet them.

The most common Jewish greeting on Yom Kippur is "g’mar chatima tovah" (pronounced gih-MAR chah-tee-MAH toe-VAH), which literally means “a good final sealing.” It references the traditional belief that a person’s fate for the coming year is written on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.

Another Yom Kippur greeting, often used in the days preceding the fast or just as it’s beginning is "tzom kal"(pronounced tzome kahl), which literally means “easy fast.” The English equivalent, “Have an easy fast,” is also not uncommon.

Other generic Jewish holiday greetings are also used on Yom Kippur, including:

  • "Chag sameach" (pronounced chahg sah-MAY-ach), which literally means “happy holiday.”

  • "Gut yontiff" (pronounced goot YUHN-tiff) which is a yiddishized version of the Hebrew phrase yom tov, literally meaning “good day” and referring to any major Jewish holiday on which work is traditionally forbidden.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Yom Kippur 2023: Jewish holiday is Sunday, September 24