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| Yom Kippur Marked on September 27th |
| Last Modified at:24-Sep-2009 |
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most important holiday in Judaism. Fasting and mass prayers of penitence throughout Israel mark the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance.
According to Jewish belief, Yom Kippur grants Jews a last opportunity to obtain forgiveness and absolution for their sins in the previous year. In order to be worthy of forgiveness, this day is devoted to spiritual repentance and a commitment to start the new year with a clean conscience, secure in the knowledge that God forgives every person who truly regrets his misdeeds.
Yom Kippur is observed by almost everyone in Israel. Many secular Jews fast, dress in white, and attend the prayer services in the synagogues. Vehicle traffic stops almost completely (apart from bicycle traffic) all businesses are closed, and many people gather together, walk the streets and ask forgiveness of one another.
The holiday begins a little before sundown on the Yom Kippur eve (Sunday), following a festive last meal, and ends when the first stars come out the next evening (Monday). Although it is a solemn day, there is an undertone of joy in Yom Kippur deriving from the confidence that our sins will be forgiven and we will have a year of life, health and happiness. Yom Kippur is almost immediately followed by Sukkot, the happiest holiday on the Jewish calendar.
This year, Yom Kippur will begin in Jerusalem at 16:54 on Sunday, September 27th, and will end at 18:09 on Monday, September 28th. Fast times in other cities and for Prayers time, please check your local listings.
Please note: at 02:00 on the night between Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th, Israel will switch to standard time and clocks should be set back by one hour.
More information about Yom Kippur and its customs is available on the Israel Tourism Portal and the Chabad website.
 Israel Tourism Portal: Yom Kippur
Chabad: Yom Kippur – Atonement and Holiness
The Jewish Agency: Yom Kippur resources
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