Yom Kippur
Yom KippurYom Kippur is an important Jewish holiday. Even those Jews who do not observe other Jewish customs will follow some of the Yom Kippur traditions. Just like on Rosh Hashanah, nobody works and there are services at the synagogue all day. The entire day is also spent fasting (no eating).
Yom Kippur - The Low Down
Yom Kippur means "
Day of Atonement." This is your last chance to change
God's judgment, make amends,
forgive and forget. There are 10 days to make good with God, starting on
Rosh Hashanah and ending on Yom Kippur. However, this is only for those
sins against God, not man. Any
amends you have to make with people, have to be done before Yom Kippur starts.
Yom Kippur - Rules of Engagement
The holiday starts at
sunset and ends at nightfall the following day. In 2006, Yom Kippur begins on
October 1st. Only kids under the
age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time
labor begins 'til three days after) are allowed to eat. Of course, if
not eating could seriously damage someone's
health or create a
life-threatening situation, then any of the
restrictions can be broken.
Yom Kippur - Restrictions
Eat or drink (including water).
Wash.
Wear makeup or deodorant.
Wear leather shoes.
Have sex.
Yom Kippur - Traditions
Most of the day is spent in the synagogue
praying, so it doesn't really matter if you
smell funny. People usually
wear white on this day and some people even wear
a kittle - a white robe that some people are
buried in.
I celebrate Yom Kippur but I am Muslim and it is called Ramadan except we just fast until sunset every day for a month. It is later in the year though.
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Related Stories:
Rosh Hashanah
Hanukkah
Ramadan
More Religious Holidays
Read more: Behind the Holiday