Starting at sunset this evening and continuing through to nightfall tomorrow is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. It is the most important of the Jewish holidays. In English Yom Kippur is referred to as the Day of Atonement. It is actually the last day of the Ten Days of Repentance, which started with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. This is the Jewish year of 5769 and Yom Kippur is always on the tenth day of Tishri, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar.
According to the beliefs of the Jewish people G-d inscribes each person’s fate for the coming year into a book on Rosh Hashana and waits until Yom Kippur to seal the verdict. During this time the Jewish people try to amend their behavior and ask forgiveness for their sins. At the end of the holiday he/she would consider oneself to be absolved by G-d.
Jews most typically observe Yom Kippur by spending time in synagogue and adhering to a strict fast for the duration of the holiday.
For those of our readers who will be observing the holiday we wish you an easy fast and a belated Happy New Year.