Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of communal and personal atonement for sins committed during the past year.
What are some of the customs on Yom Kippur?
Fasting is one of the central components of the Yom Kippur holiday.
Jewish adults are commanded to fast, but there are exceptions for pregnant women, nursing mothers and those who are ill.
Learn here who is traditionally commanded to fast and find tips on staying healthy during the Yom Kippur fast here.
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What are the services on Yom Kippur?
Prayer is the other central component of the holiday. The Kol Nidrei service kicks off the holiday, and Neila comes at the very end, bookending the holy day with solemn prayer. In between we read the book of Jonah and perform the special Avodah service, which involves continually and frequently prostrating oneself on the ground. Learn how to find tickets for Yom Kippur services, how to find a Mahzor (High Holiday prayerbook), how to stream Kol Nidre and other High Holiday services on your computer, and what time Yom Kippur begins.
