According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) that God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a day-long fast, confession, intensive prayer and special religious services.
The name Yom Kippur is based on the Torah verse, “… but on the 10th day of the seventh month it is the day of kippurim unto you.. The literal translation of kippirium is cleansing. It is seen as one of the most culturally significant Jewish holidays.
Unlike a regular day which has three prayer services, on Yom Kippur five prayer services are held – Ma’ariv, Shacharit, Mussaf, Mincha, and Ne’ilah, the closing prayer).
Jews traditionally eat the Seudat Mafseket — meal of Cessation or pre-fast meal — before the Yom Kippur fast. At the end of Yom Kippur, Jews traditionally share a joyful Break Fast meal with family and friends.
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