Yom Kippur Summary
Date:
Tenth of Tishri
Duration:
One day.
Names:
Together with Rosh Hashanah, it is known as Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe);
Shabbat Shabbaton (Sabbath of Sabbaths).
Source:
"On the tenth day of this
seventh month is a day of atonement. It shall be for you a [day of]
holy assembly and you shall afflict yourselves..." (VaYikra 23:27)
General Theme:
We abstain from eating, confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness,
hoping that we will be sealed in G-d's Book of Life. We feel
responsible to one another and a desire that our fast will lead us to
lending a hand to others in distress.
Customs:
The holiday is ushered in by lighting two candles and reciting the
following blessing:
Baruch atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha-olam
asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner Yom Kippur
Blessed are you, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, Who
has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the
light of Yom Kippur.
This is followed by the
recitation of the Shehecheyanu:
Baruch atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha-olam
shehecheyanu v'kiymanu v'higianu lazman hazeh
Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the universe, Who
has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
It is customary to light a
Yahrzeit candle, as a memorial to the deceased members of the family,
just before leaving for services.
The Rabbi, Cantor, and
congregants wear white gowns (Kittels) as in the custom of Rosh Hashanah.
At the evening Yom Kippur
service, called Kol Nidre, the tallit (prayer shawl) is worn,
symbolizing the added piety of the occasion.
The abstinence on Yom Kippur
includes total fasting for adults (except the sick and weak), abstaining
from sexual relations, and not wearing leather shoes (out of compassion for
animals) or cosmetics.
Memorial services for the
dead (Yizkor) are said on Yom Kippur during services.
On Yom Kippur afternoon, at
the Minchah service, the entire Sefer Yonah is chanted, reminding us that
G-d's forgiveness is universal.
At the end of the Yom Kippur
service, a long blast of the Shofar is sounded and the words, "Leshanah
habaah biYerushalayim" (Next year in Jerusalem) are proclaimed.
The greeting at the end of
Yom Kippur is, "G'mar chatimah tovah" (May you be sealed for a good
verdict).
