SanghaToday Blog

Yom Kippur is the most reverential festival in the Jewish year – and also the most holy day. It’s at this time that Jews are given the opportunity to improve the judgement that will be given by God.Translated literally, Yom Kippur means ‘Day of Attonement’, and so not surprisingly the principle order of business during this festival is the atonement of sin. The outcome of the day will set the tone for the following year, so it’s important to spend the time thinking about one’s wrong-doings and to seek forgiveness.

One of the principle features of the holiday is 25 hours of prayer and fasting. Much of the festival is spent in Synagogue for special prayer services. Part of the service is formed by a public confession of sins.There is also a special, unique prayer which is devoted to the Kohn Gadol service at the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

Yom Kippur is also the time when the famous ‘Kol Nidre’ is recited. The prayer is a way to renew the vows between the individual and God. At this time it’s not normally permitted to work, eat or drink. White is quite often worn during Yom Kippur which signifies purity and humility before God.

The Synagogue forms a very important role during Yom Kippur, and it is where most of the festival is conducted. Eventually at nightfall, there will be one final blast of the Shofar – an instrument made from a ram’s horn.Even relatively secular Jews will attend Synagogue on this day, although they are not all expected to fast for the full 25 hours.

Aglobalworld provides Customized Calendars for your business, which can be customized with your logo!