Yom Kippur sunset Tuesday-nightfall Wednesday

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a solemn fast day. We pray for forgiveness from G-d and repent sincerely for our sins during the past year. Many people wear white as a symbol of purity and often a white mantle is used to dress the Torah scrolls as well. It is also customary to light 24-hour yahrzeit candles in memory loved ones who have died, and Yizkor, or memorial prayers, are included in the morning service. Yahrzeit candles are lit before lighting the holiday candles at the end of the pre-fast dinner eaten before sundown on the eve of this holy day. All adults in the household whose health permits abstain from food and drink for the next 25 hours. At nightfall the next night, a single, long blast of the shofar signals the end of the fast and families and friends gather for a light break-the-fast meal.