What phrase is recited seven times at the conclusion of Yom Kippur?

The phrase recited seven times at the conclusion of Yom Kippur is “Hashem Hu HaElohim,” meaning “The Lord, He is God.” It is part of the final declarations traditionally made at the end of Ne'ilah.

The sequence commonly includes Shema Yisrael once, Baruch Shem three times, and Hashem Hu HaElohim seven times, followed by the shofar blast that marks the fast's conclusion. The wording echoes the declaration in 1 Kings 18:39, when the people respond to Elijah on Mount Carmel: “The Lord, He is God.”

Repeating the phrase turns the end of the day into a public affirmation of divine unity and sovereignty. Traditional explanations also associate the number seven with the seven heavens or with the completion of the day's spiritual movement toward repentance and forgiveness.

The exact ending varies by liturgical tradition. Some Sephardi communities repeat the phrase twelve times rather than seven, so the number is not universal. That variation does not change the phrase identified by this question, which is distinct from Shema Yisrael and Baruch Shem.