Yom Kippur is described as the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
Its name means “Day of Atonement,” and it falls on the 10th day of Tishrei, usually in September or October. Jewish observance centers on repentance, prayer, confession, and reconciliation. Traditionally, healthy adults fast from food and drink for about 25 hours, while work restrictions resemble those of Shabbat.
The day is rooted in the Torah’s instructions for atonement and the Temple service. In modern Judaism, worship includes extended synagogue services, the Kol Nidre prayer at the opening, and Ne’ilah, the closing service. Yom Kippur is also the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
A common mix-up is treating Yom Kippur as simply a Jewish New Year celebration. Rosh Hashanah begins the annual cycle and emphasizes judgment and renewal; Yom Kippur focuses more intensely on atonement. Another important distinction is that Jewish tradition teaches that wrongs against other people require apology and restitution, not only prayer.