Date, fast times, meaning behind Yom Kippur and what celebrations involve – iNews

Posted By on September 27, 2022

Yom Kippur, one of the most sacred dates in the Jewish religious calendar, is soon approaching.

The holiday known as the Day of Atonement falls 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, which marks the beginning of the Jewish year.

It is a time for Jewish communities around the world to reflect on the past year and ask Gods forgiveness for any sins they have committed.

Heres what you need to know.

Yom Kippur falls on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (September or October in the Gregorian calendar).

Jews traditionally observe the holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

It marks the culmination of the Days of Repentance or Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which celebrates the anniversary of worlds creation.

This year Yom Kippur begins at sundown onTuesday 4 October, 2022and ends at nightfall onWednesday 5 October, 2022.

Yom Kippur, meaning Day of Atonement, is a time to reflect on the past year and ask Gods forgiveness for any sins committed.

The origins trace back to the story of Moses, after the people of Israel made their exodus from Egypt.

After Moses climbed Mount Sinai, God gave him two tablets containing the Ten Commandments. The first commandment told people that they should not worship anyone other than God.

However, when he descended from the mountain, Moses caught the Israelites worshipping a golden calf and shattered the holy tablets in anger.

The Israelites atoned for their idolatry and God forgave them on on the 10th day of Tishrei, which then became known as Yom Kippur.

Millions of Jewish families around the world mark the day of Yom Kippur by fasting for 25 hours.

Anyone who must eat due to health reasons will not be required to fast. Children under the age of nine are also exempt. Generally, adults do not work on Yom Kippur; children may also miss school.

Most of the day is spent a the synagogue, where five prayer services are held (instead of the traditional two). These are known as: Maariv, Shacharit, Musaf, Mincha and Neilah.

Maariv includes the recital of a prayer service called Kol Nidre, which takes place on the eve of the holiday.

Yom Kippur concludes with the Neilah service and the blowing of the shofar, an ancient instrument, which marks the conclusion of the fast.

After the service, people usually break the fast and celebrate with a family meal. It is customary to wear white, as a symbol of purity during the day.

As a way to atone and seek Gods forgiveness, some Jews make donations or volunteer their time to charity in the days leading up to the holiday.

See the article here:

Date, fast times, meaning behind Yom Kippur and what celebrations involve - iNews

Related Posts

Comments

Comments are closed.

matomo tracker