Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and a time of intense prayer and fasting. It marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance, which begin with Rosh Hashanah.

Table of Contents

1. When is Yom Kippur?
2. The History of Yom Kippur?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. What is High Priest?

When is Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, exactly ten days after Rosh Hashanah. In 2025, Yom Kippur begins at sunset on Wednesday, October 1, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, October 2.

The following is the list of Yom Kippur from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Yom Kippur?

Yom Kippur's significance and practices are deeply rooted in biblical commandments and have evolved through centuries of Jewish history. Its history traces back to the time of the Israelites and has evolved over the centuries to become a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

Yom Kippur's origins are found in the Torah, particularly in the Book of Leviticus (Vayikra), which details its initial rituals and the commandment to observe this day. According to Leviticus 16, Yom Kippur is the day on which the High Priest would perform a series of sacrifices and rituals to atone for the sins of the Israelites. This included the famous ritual of the scapegoat, where one goat was sent into the wilderness carrying the sins of the people, symbolizing the removal of sin.

Yom Kippur is described as a day to "afflict the soul," which traditionally meant fasting and abstaining from certain physical comforts. The day is designed to offer a fresh start by seeking forgiveness from God and fellow human beings for any wrongdoings, both individual and communal.

In the times of the First Temple (circa 1000 BCE) and the Second Temple (516 BCE–70 CE), Yom Kippur was a day when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, the innermost part of the Temple, to offer sacrifices and seek atonement on behalf of the people of Israel. This act symbolized the community's reconciliation with God.

After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the sacrificial rituals were no longer possible, leading to changes in how Yom Kippur was observed. The focus shifted from animal sacrifices to prayer, repentance, and fasting.

During the Middle Ages, Jewish communities in different parts of the world developed their own unique customs for Yom Kippur, including additional prayers such as the Unetanneh Tokef prayer, which describes God's judgment and the fate of individuals in the coming year.

In contemporary times, Yom Kippur continues to be a solemn day dedicated to spiritual introspection. Jews around the world spend the day in synagogue services, praying for forgiveness and making amends with others. The focus on personal and communal atonement remains central to the holiday.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, observant Jews engage in a variety of practices centered around repentance, prayer, and fasting.

From sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur to after nightfall on the day itself, a strict 25-hour fast is observed. No food or drink is consumed during this period. The fast is meant to purify the body and soul and to focus the mind on repentance.

The day is spent in synagogue, where extended prayer services take up most of the day. These services are longer and more intense than regular daily prayers. A confessional prayer is recited multiple times throughout the services. It is a personal and communal confession of sins, asking for forgiveness and expressing regret over misdeeds of the past year.

In addition to fasting, there are other prohibitions designed to eliminate distractions and create an atmosphere conducive to introspection: no wearing of leather shoes, no bathing, no anointing and no marital relations etc.

Many people wear white clothing, symbolizing purity and a desire to be free from sin. After nightfall, when the fast ends, it is customary to have a meal ready that usually starts with breaking bread, often challah dipped in honey, to mark a sweet start to the new year.

Yom Kippur has evolved from its biblical roots in the Temple sacrifices to become a deeply spiritual day focused on repentance, forgiveness, and personal growth. The holiday continues to serve as an important moment for self-reflection, communal unity, and spiritual renewal in Jewish life.

What is High Priest?

The High Priest, also known as Kohen Gadol in Hebrew, held a significant role in ancient Jewish religious life, especially during the times of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. His duties and the symbolism surrounding his office were central to the religious observances of the Israelites, particularly on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The High Priest was the highest religious position within the ancient Jewish community. He acted as the chief religious authority and was responsible for the maintenance of religious practices. His primary role involved performing and overseeing the sacrificial ceremonies in the Temple, especially on important religious holidays.

On Yom Kippur, the High Priest performed a series of complex and highly symbolic rituals that were believed to atone for his sins, those of his household, and those of the entire community of Israel.

The High Priest wore special garments that were rich in symbolism and mandated by the Torah: breastplate (contained twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel), ephod (a richly embroidered garment made of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet threads), robe of the Ephod (a blue robe that was worn under the ephod, famous for its bells and pomegranates along the hem), and turban (often had a gold plate with the inscription "Holy to the LORD).

The first High Priest was Aaron, brother of Moses, as described in the Book of Exodus. The office was typically hereditary, passed down from father to son within the family of Aaron. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the role of the High Priest ceased to exist in a functional sense, as there was no longer a Temple in which to perform the rituals.

Today, while the physical office of the High Priest no longer exists, the role and its rituals are remembered and revered in Jewish liturgy. The historical significance of the High Priest continues to be a topic of study and religious reflection, emphasizing themes of atonement, priesthood, and divine service in Jewish theology.