Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. This is the time of year when most Jews show up for services, or at least more than usual. In big cities, you sometimes even need tickets. The places get so crowded. To prepare, during the days before the holiday, people make amends, and ask forgiveness from their family and friends. And then the day arrives. We learn: On this day you are to “afflict your soul…and Yom Kippur makes atonement for you and all Jewish people.”
So how do you afflict your soul? Famously, by fasting from food and drink. There are other prohibitions, too – no bathing, perfume, sex or wearing leather. That’s a lot of stuff you can’t do. Fasting and praying, though, are not enough as Yom Kippur demands that Jews also commit to changing their behavior. As it says in the haftarah reading from the prophet Isaiah: “An empty fast is not sufficient. This is the fast I desire: To share your bread with the hungry, to take care of the poor, to clothe the naked and to not ignore our fellows.” Traditionally, you spend the entire evening and next day at prayer services.
There’s many ways that people actually do this holiday – some people create their own rituals, taking a contemplative walk, or fasting at home. Yom Kippur begins with a service just before sunset called Kol Nidre. Kol Nidre You’ll notice it’s the one time a year people wear a prayer shawl, or tallit, at night, and many are dressed in white. Kol Nidre is a public apology in advance for failing to meet our own vows and admitting we’re not perfect. The chanting of this stirring melody, is the beginning of a marathon that ends 25 hours later. The Evening, morning and afternoon services that follow each contain special passages. Importantly, people chant confessions, called vidui, silently, as well as out loud. Readers chant from Leviticus about the scapegoat ceremony that atoned for people’s misdeeds, as well as the Book of Jonah, about the prophet who ran away from God and eventually changed his ways.
There is a memorial service, called yizkor. Yom Kippur is a time for relationship maintenance, requiring Jews to seek out reconciliation with others, with themselves and with G-d. The imagery of the holiday is of gates – the gates of prayer, of soul searching, and of forgiveness – which are closed at the final service – N’eilah, or “locking of” the gates. There’s another metaphor – being “written in” the book of life on Rosh Hashana and now, being “sealed in” the very same book on Yom Kippur.
You might hear people say “g’mar chatima tova,” may you be sealed for a good new year. As Ne’ilah concludes the shofar is sounded in a dramatic closing ceremony. With the final blast, the ups and downs of a really long day come to a full stop. [Shofar Blast] Ahhhh. It’s chow time, time to eat, as Jews gather together for “break the fast!” Not breakfast, because it’s at night. Like any good cleanse, Yom Kippur leaves you feeling wrung out like a sponge, having gone along a spiritual journey, refreshed and renewed, ready to begin again with a clean slate.
Kitchen Trash Can with Lid, 13 Gallon Automatic Garbage Can for Bathroom Bedroom Home Office 50 Liter Touch Free High-Capacity Brushed Stainless Steel Waste Bin
Buy Now – 69% Discount Only 10 Days
About This Item
- AUTOMATIC & HYGIENIC – The touchless sensor lid opens and closes automatically, keeping your hands clean and ensuring a noiseless, sanitary trash experience.
- MODERN & DURABLE DESIGN – Made of premium stainless steel with a fingerprint-resistant finish. The sleek oval body and sloping lid design fit seamlessly into kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices.
- POWERED BY 4 C BATTERIES (NOT INCLUDED) – Uses 4× C-cell batteries for long performance: Supports 40,000+ openings for long-lasting use. Alkaline batteries are recommended for best performance. For best results, install with correct polarity, switch ON before use, and place the can in a cool, dry, ventilated area to protect electronic components.
- ODOR CONTROL & EASY CARE – Keep the lid closed to minimize odor. The stainless steel surface is easy to maintain—just wipe with a dry towel for regular care.
- LARGE CAPACITY & CLEAR GUIDANCE – Fits standard 13-gallon trash bags from any supermarket. Accurate size dimensions and internal images reduce confusion. Includes usage tips on bag sealing, odor control, and proper placement.