As the most solemn and sober festival in the year, Jews celebrate Yom Kippur princably to be given a chance to seek a better judgement from God.The name of the holiday translates literally as ‘Day of Atonement’ and so this festival is a time when God’s people can atone for their sins and seek forgiveness.This will set the fate of the following year, and is a day of reflection and contemplation.
One of the principle features of the holiday is 25 hours of prayer and fasting. For the most part, the day will be spend in Synagogue services.Part of the prayer services include a public confession of sins. Another important prayer is the one dedicated to the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, where a special service is held every year.
Yom Kippur is also the time when the famous ‘Kol Nidre’ is recited. The prayer is a way to renew the vows between the individual and God. At this time it’s not normally permitted to work, eat or drink.It’s traditional also to wear white, which symbolises purity and forgiveness towards God.
Much of the festival is conducted in Synagogue, and as such this forms the heart of the festival. At nightfall, one last sound of the Shofar will be heard and Yom Kippur is concluded. Since this is the most important holy day in the calendar, most Jews will attend Synagogue on this day, although many will not fast.
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