Yom Kippur 2023: Wishes, prayer, meaning, traditions, celebration, greetings

Yom Kippur in English means the 'Day of Atonement'. It is the day for Jews to reflect on sins or wrongdoings from the previous year. Yom Kippur follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is considered the holiest and the most significant day of the Jewish calendar. Most of the Jews attend services at synagogues or other congregations, recite special prayers and sing special songs. An important Yom Kippur tradition is to fast for 25 hours and skip eating or drinking during that period.

Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement

The basic idea behind Yom Kippur is to welcome everything that is going to happen in the year to come. The stage for the whole year is set during this time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.


This year Yom Kippur began at sunset on Sunday, September 24, and it will end on Monday, September 25. While Rosh Hashanah lasts two days, Yom Kippur lasts for one day only.

Yom Kippur traditions

Jewish families and communities come together and assemble at a place before Yom Kippur begins, they keep fast together, break the fast and share festive meals. An important ritual at the end of Rosh Hashanah, as well as Yom Kippur, is to blow 'shofar', or a curved horn of a ram.

Yom Kippur greetings

Jews greet each other on Yom Kippur by saying "G'mar chatima tova". In English, it means "May you be sealed in the Book of Life." It is said because the Jewish people believe that one's fate is decided on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.

FAQs:

Q1. How is Yom Kippur celebrated?
A1. Jews keep fast for 25 hours beginning Yom Kippur, Jewish communities assemble to fast together, they break the fast and share festive meals. They go to synagogues, pray, and sing special songs.

Q2. How do Jews greet each other on Yom Kippur?
A2. Jews greet each other on Yom Kippur by saying "G'mar chatima tova". In English, it means "May you be sealed in the Book of Life." They may also say "have a meaningful fast if you're fasting" or simply "have a good Yom Kippur". But one should not say, "Happy Yom Kippur", because it is the day of atonement.