What You Wanted To Know About Yom Kippur

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                 

Yom Kippur 2026 takes place from sundown on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to nightfall on Monday, September 21, 2026, marking the holiest Day of Atonement in Judaism.

During Yom Kippur, observant communities worldwide engage in a 25-hour fast, intensive prayer, and reflection.  Jewish law prioritizes health and life over fasting and ritual restrictions, meaning that anyone whose health would be endangered by fasting has a religious obligation ("a mitzvah to eat") to eat or drink,  The Torah (Leviticus 18:5) tells us:​​​

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י ה׳  

​You shall keep My laws and My rules, that a person will do and live by them, vaḥai bahem; I am God.

The Talmud (Yoma 85b) interprets that verse to mean that we live, and don’t die, by Jewish ritual practices.

Consult Professionals: Individuals with chronic conditions, the elderly, those taking daily medications, and pregnant or nursing individuals should consult both a doctor and a rabbi before attempting to fast. 

Prioritize Well-being: Jewish tradition teaches that preserving life (pikuach nefesh) overrides ritual observances. If a physician advises against fasting for health reasons, one is religiously required to follow medical advice. 

Gradual Recovery: When breaking the fast or consuming small amounts for health needs, it is recommended to drink fluids first, eat slowly, and avoid overeating to prevent physical distress.

 Because sunset and nightfall vary by location, the exact start and end times differ across regions:  North America's Los Angeles: Starts 6:34 PM – Ends 7:28 PM

Our customs vary a little between Israel and the Diaspora:

Israel: Public life halts completely. Airports close, public transit stops, television and radio broadcasts pause, and streets fill with pedestrians and children riding bicycles instead of cars.

Diaspora: Communities gather in synagogues for evening Kol Nidre services and spend the following day in prayer, wearing traditional white garments symbolizing purity.

Kol Nidre is an ancient Aramaic legal declaration that opens the evening service of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.  Meaning and Purpose

Literal translation: The Aramaic phrase means "All Vows".
Legal nature: It is not technically a prayer, but a legal formula used to annul unfulfilled or rash personal vows and oaths made to God.
Fresh start: It releases individuals from unintentional obligations made during moments of human weakness so they can enter the new year with a clean slate.

Ritual and Music

Chanted three times: The leader of the congregation recites it three times, starting softly and growing louder with each repetition, accompanied by men holding Torah scrolls.
Haunting melody: It is famous for its mournful, ancient tune that sets a deeply solemn and emotional tone for the Yom Kippur fast.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPIiQDICFFc  
Kol Nidrei - Cantor Azi Schwartz live from Park Avenue Synagogue