Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for people who practice Judaism. It is also known as the Day of Atonement and takes place on the tenth day of Tishri, the first month of the civil year and the seventh month of the religious year in the Hebrew calendar. The holiday technically spans two calendar days, because the Jewish calendar is lunar, and days are marked sunset to sunset. This year, it began at sunset on September 24 and continued until the evening of September 25.

Yom Kippur concludes a 10-day period known as the “Days of Awe” that begins with the Jewish New Year, which is called Rosh Hashanah. During this period, Jews around the world reflect on their misdeeds and sins over the year through worship and prayer so that they may atone for their wrongdoings. With fear and wonder in facing God’s judgment, Jews seek forgiveness and self-reflect on their failings and flaws.

Most observant Jews fast from sunset to sunset on Yom Kippur, abstaining from food and water. More observant members go beyond fasting and will also abstain from bathing, wearing leather shoes, indulging in perfumes or lotions, and marital relations. The day is devoted to repentance for the sins of the previous year, with the faithful seeking forgiveness from God as well as from fellow humans. Synagogues hold religious services throughout the day for practicing Jews to come pray introspectively, either asking for forgiveness or expressing regret of sins committed in the past year.

In summary, Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year, and it is a time for Jews to reflect on their misdeeds and seek forgiveness through worship and prayer[[3]](https://en.wiki...