What is Yom Kippur? What you should know about the Jewish Day of Atonement – ​​NBC New York

Yom Kippur is the most important day of the year for the Jewish faith, ending the ten-day period of repentance and reflection known as the High Holidays, which began with Rosh Hashanah.

But what is Yom Kippur and how is it celebrated? Here's everything you need to know:

What is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is a holiday when Jewish people reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness from God and those they have wronged.

When is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur will be observed from sunset on Friday, October 11th until after dark on Saturday, October 12th.

The holiday occurs on the 10th day of the year in the Hebrew calendar, with Rosh Hashanah being the Jewish New Year.

How is Yom Kippur celebrated?

Yom Kippur is typically celebrated with a day of reflection, prayer and fasting.

Adherents of the Jewish faith attend church services and do not eat from sundown to sundown. Small children and people who would be at medical risk due to fasting are excluded.

When the Day of Atonement is over, a “shofar” horn is blown to end the fast and a festive meal is prepared to break the fast and restore people to strength.

What is a “shofar” horn?

A shofar is a musical instrument made from the horn of a ram.

In the Jewish faith, shofar horns have been used for centuries for various purposes, including proclaiming the Sabbath. Today, the shofar is also blown on Rosh Hashanah and every day of the month leading up to the holiday.

What do people eat after fasting on Yom Kippur?

There is no specific meal that must be eaten after a Yom Kippur fast, but people usually eat something easily digestible to avoid jarring their bodies after fasting.

A popular choice for a post-fast meal is a brunch menu that includes bagels, lox, egg salad, and noodle balls.

How do people prepare for their fast on Yom Kippur?

Fasting on Yom Kippur lasts about 25 hours, and during this time, adherents of the Jewish faith are not allowed to eat or drink anything, including water.

Most Jews eat a meat-heavy meal for lunch the day before Yom Kippur, followed by a “seudat mafseket,” a weaning meal, for dinner that is high in carbohydrates and low in sodium.

The biggest challenge during fasting is dehydration. It is recommended to drink plenty of water before fasting and prepare for all-day fasting up to a week in advance.

What are some Yom Kippur greetings?

People who celebrate Yom Kippur usually say the Hebrew proverb to each other “Gemar chatimah tovah,” which translates to “A good final seal.” It is based on the idea that on Yom Kippur their fate for the coming year is finally sealed.

It is also common to wish someone an easy fast.

However, it is not customary to wish someone “Happy Yom Kippur.”