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Day of Atonement

September 17, 2010 New York Post Robin Wallace

Yom Kippur marks the holiest day of the Jewish year

THIS weekend, Jews all over the world will observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. It ends a 10 day period of atonement, also known as the Days of Awe, during which Jews believe God has been deciding their fate for the coming year.

The congregation at the Wall Street Synagogue in New York participate in the Yom Kippur service.

During this time, God has opened his books ledgers in which he has inscribed all the deeds of humanity. During the Days of Awe, as Jews have examined their sins, sought forgiveness, and reflected upon ways to improve themselves in the coming year, God has been deciding their sentence.

Jews hope to make amends and earn a favorable judgment during this time. Up until Yom Kippur, Jews had the chance to earn God forgiveness and influence his judgment of them, but on Yom Kippur, God makes his final judgment and seals his books. The sentence he inscribes for each person determines whether they will have a good or bad year.

Yom Kippur lasts for 25 hours, beginning at sundown the night before Yom Kippur and ending an hour after sun down the day of Yom Kippur. Jews observe a strict fast during this time, refraining from eating or drinking. They are prohibited from working and some also refrain from washing, bathing, or using perfume or lotions. Some Jews will also refrain from wearing leather shoes.

The eve of Yom Kippur, as well as most of the following day, is spent in synagogue, deep in prayer.

In the daylight hours before the sun sets on the eve of Yom Kippur, Jews prepare for the long fast and solemn day ahead with a festive meal. Once the sun sets, the period of fasting and observance begins.

Worshipers gather at the synagogue just before sunset on the eve of Yom Kippur. Jews return to the temple the next day for a day of prayers. The Yom Kippur service contains many special prayers, including a time when people publicly confess their sins. Many observant men where a white robe called a kittel.

At the end of the Yom Kippur service, in the synagogue, the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram horn, is sounded. The shofar was also sounded during the Rosh Hashanah observance, and is very meaningful to Jews. This time, the sound of the horn signals celebration. Jews now consider themselves to have been absolved of their sins.

Yom Kippur ends an hour after sundown. To celebrate the end of the fast, Jews enjoy a feast that often includes bagels, cheese, tuna fish, egg salad and sweet cakes.

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