Yom Kippur

The Holiest Day

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is sometimes called the "Sabbath of Sabbaths" because it is the holiest day of the Jewish year. According to tradition, the judgment of every man, woman and child is inscribed in the Heavenly Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on the Day of Atonement.

Kol Nidre

Yom Kippur begins, like all Jewish holidays, after sunset the previous day. Before leaving home for the synagogue to attend the special Yom Kippur service, the father may bless his children, an old custom that dates back to the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

At the synagogue, the Torahs are taken out of the Ark. The congregation rises as the cantor begins the famous Kol Nidre prayer in the chant known 'round the world. In every Jewish community, the Kol Nidre service is taking place.

Kol means "all" and Nidre means "vows." The words of the Kol Nidre prayer state that all vows and oaths not carried out are hereby canceled and void.

During the days of the Inquisition in 15th century Spain and Portugal, Jews were often forced to give up their faith. Many of these Jews (Marranos) secretly continued to practice Judaism. In the Kol Nidre prayer, they begged God to forgive them for the vows which they knew they couldn't keep because they observed their religion in secret. Kol Nidre released them from the vows made by man to God.

The music of Kol Nidre is as impressive as the words. The sad and haunting melody, which first appeared in Germany in the 16th century, has left an enduring mark on Yom Kippur services.

Fasting

On Erev Yom Kippur, the fast-meal must be eaten before sunset. After that, everyone—except children under 13 years of age and the sick or frail—fasts until after sunset the following day.

Fasting is not a form of punishment, but is done to enable us to concentrate on the meaning of Yom Kippur. By not consuming food, we think only of the importance of this day, the holiest in the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur Day

Services begin early on Yom Kippur day and last until evening. Several times during the service the congregation ,makes a group "confession" to every possible wrongdoing and forgiveness is asked for the congregation as a whole.

On the afternoon of Yom Kippur, the Portion of the Prophets which is read is the Book of Jonah. We hear how Jonah fled to a distant land to escape the presence of God. His efforts were in vain because he learned that God is everywhere and His love embraces all people.

As afternoon service continues, the theme of repentance and atonement for wrongdoing predominates, along with the hope that we will be written for a good year in the Book of Life.

Yizkor

Part of the Yom Kippur service is Yizkor, the memorial prayer for the dead. The soul being mourned is mentioned by name and the mourners traditionally pledge to give Tzedakah (a monetary donation) in memory of the loved one.

Ne'ilah

The closing service ion the day of Yom Kippur , Ne'ilah, includes the following chant:

Open the gate for us,
For the day is nearly past;
The sun is low,
The day grows late...
Open Thy gates at last.

At the very end of this service, the shofar is blown for the first and only time on Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement is over. Families hurry home to break the fast that has lasted since sunset the day before. (See the Jewish Cooking for a Yom Kippur Menu). We close the day hopeful that the year ahead will be one of health, happiness and peace.

Resources

The Jewish Holidays: A Guide & Commentary by Michael Strassfeld
The Book of the Jewish Year by Stephen M. Wylen
The First Jewish Catalog by Richard Siegel et al., editors

Books for Children

First Fast by Barbara Cohen
The Cardinal's Snuffbox by Kenneth Roseman
K'Tonton's Yom Kippur Kitten by Sadie Rose Weilerstein
Sound the Shofar: A Story for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Leslie Kimmelman
On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Melanie W. Hall
All About Yom Kippur by Madeline Wikler