By Brenda June Temple

FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

Yom Kippur Hebrew: יוֹם כִּפּוּר‎, Yōm Kippūr, [ˈjom kiˈpuʁ], lit. ’Day of Atonement‘) is the holiest day in Judaism and Samaritanism. It occurs annually on the 10th of Tishrei, corresponding to a secular date in September or early October.

Primarily centered on atonement and repentance, the day’s main observances consist of full fasting and ascetic behavior accompanied by long prayer services in synagogue, as well as sin confessions.

Alongside the related holiday of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is one of the two components of the “High Holy Days” of Judaism. It is also the last day of the Ten Days of Repentance.