Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.
Yom Kippur is one of two Jewish High Holy Days. The first is Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Yom Kippur falls 10 days after on the 10th of Tishrei, which is a Hebrew month that correlates with September-October on the secular calendar. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to bring about reconciliation between people and between individuals and God. Yom means "day" in Hebrew and Kippur comes from a root that means "to atone." Thus Yom Kippur has come to mean "day of atonement." Yom Kippur is also regarded as the "Sabbath of Sabbaths."
According to Jewish tradition it is also the day when God decides the fate of each human being. God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During the Days of Awe, which commences with Rosh Hashanah, each person tries to amend their behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against each other. The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one hopes that they have been forgiven by God.
This year is the Jewish year 5774 and Yom Kippur will occur from sunset on September 13th until nightfall of September 14th.
Note to the reader: I have tried to blend and condense information from several sources in order to keep the post short enough to maintain your interest. I think I have captured the essence of the holiday without offending my Jewish friends for whom I wish the most fruitful holiday season. Tzom kal and may God bless you all.
...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the LORD.
-Leviticus 16:29-30
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