EVENT DETAILS:
Yom Kippur (Judaism)
Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is one of the most solemn of Jewish religious holidays, observed on the 10th day of the lunar month of Tishri (in the course of September and October).
The day commemorates when Jews seek to expiate their sins and achieve reconciliation with God.
Yom Kippur concludes the “10 days of repentance” that begin with Rosh Hashana (New Year’s Day) on the first day of Tishri.
Yom Kippur is marked by abstention from food, drink, and sex. Among Orthodox Jews, the wearing of leather shoes and anointing oneself with oil are forbidden. Orthodox Jews may wear long white robes called kittel.
Jewish congregations spend the eve of Yom Kippur and the entire day in prayer and meditation. Friends also ask and accept forgiveness from one another for past offenses on the evening before Yom Kippur, since obtaining forgiveness from one’s fellows signifies God’s forgiveness.