Yom Kippur

11/10/2024

Diversity

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest of Jewish religious holidays and begins at sunset today. It is observed annually on the 10th day of the lunar month of Tishrei (usually occurring in September - October) and is primarily centred on atonement and repentance.

Yom Kippur concludes the High Holy Days, also known as the “10 days of repentance”, that began with Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year at sundown on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.

Yom Kippur traditions include abstaining from food, drink, wearing leather shoes, bathing, perfumes and intimate relations, prayer and reflection and giving to charity. The traditional greeting for someone observing Yom Kippur is "g'mar chatima tova".

The holiday ends with closing prayers and the blowing of the shofar (a trumpet made of a ram’s horn). It is followed by a festive breaking of the fast and celebration.