What is Yom Kippur? Everything You Need to Know About Jewish Holy Days

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Yom Kippur, known as the "Day of Atonement," is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

It is dedicated to atonement and repentance, both to God and to one another, making it a time of profound spiritual reflection for Jews worldwide.

This celebration is the culmination of the "Ten Days of Repentance" that begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

On Rosh Hashanah, it is believed that God records each individual's destiny for the coming year, and on Yom Kippur, that decision is sealed.

Therefore, Yom Kippur is the final opportunity for Jews to seek forgiveness and reconciliation, hoping to have their names written in the "book of life."

In 2025, Yom Kippur will begin at sundown on Wednesday, October 1, and end after nightfall on Thursday, October 2.

Yom Kippur, meaning "Day of Atonement" in Hebrew, is the most sacred day in Judaism.

Its primary purpose is atonement and repentance, as Jews seek God's forgiveness for their personal sins and reconcile with one another.

This holiday is an integral part of the "High Holidays" or "Days of Awe," a ten-day period of reflection and introspection.

This period begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and culminates on Yom Kippur.

In Jewish belief, on Rosh Hashanah, God is believed to write each person's destiny for the coming year and during Yom Kippur, this divine decree is sealed.

Yom Kippur is always observed on the 10th of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar.

This date shifts annually in the Gregorian calendar, but its essence as a holy day remains unchanged.For 2025, Yom Kippur will begin at sundown on Wednesday, October 1.

The observance will last approximately 25 hours, ending after nightfall on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

These 25 hours include a full fast and a series of religious services, extending from sundown one day to nightfall the next.

Yom Kippur is marked by complete fasting and asceticism, accompanied by lengthy prayer services in the synagogue.

This fast involves not only abstaining from food and drink for approximately 25 hours, but also a physical act that encourages Jews to focus more on spiritual matters.

In addition to fasting, there are five additional prohibitions that must be avoided to "torture the soul" as a form of humility and separation from worldly things.

These prohibitions include wearing leather shoes, bathing or washing, applying lotions or perfumes, and engaging in sexual activity.

Services begin on Yom Kippur eve with the Kol Nidre prayer, a vow-breaking prayer symbolizing a new beginning.

Services continue throughout the following day with the Shacharit, Musaf, and Minchah prayers, and conclude with the Neilah prayer, which signifies the "closing of the gates" at sunset.

Many Jews wear all white as a symbol of purity.

Yom Kippur ends with a long blast of the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn, which signifies the end of the fast and the hope that prayers have been accepted.

Afterward, Jews traditionally hold a festive dinner to conclude their fast, known as "break-the-fast."

Yom Kippur is a significant day of atonement and repentance, providing an opportunity for individuals to acknowledge their mistakes, seek forgiveness, and resolve to be better people in the future.

It is a time to deepen their personal relationship with God and focus on strengthening their spiritual connection.

This day is also considered a day of Jewish unity, where the entire community is invited to pray together, strengthening bonds of togetherness and solidarity.

For sins committed against another individual, one must specifically ask for forgiveness from that person directly.

The central themes of Yom Kippur are forgiveness, the possibility of change, and deep reflection on the past and future, encouraging each individual to transform.

Before Yom Kippur arrives, Jews make several important preparations for this holy day.

On the day before Yom Kippur, it is customary to eat two meals, one of which is a festive meal before the fast begins, to ensure the body has sufficient energy.

Some also perform the ritual of Kaparot, a symbolic practice of transferring sins to a chicken or money, which is then donated to the needy.

Additional charitable giving is also a common custom before Yom Kippur, as an act of kindness and spiritual preparation.

Another tradition performed before the fast begins is blessing children with the Priestly Blessing.