Yom Kippur(יוֹם כִּפּוּר)

Yom Kippur falls on the 10th day of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar, ten days after Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). In the Gregorian calendar, it occurs in September or October. The holiday begins at sunset and ends the following nightfall.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day in Judaism. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and repentance, where Jews seek forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The day is marked by a 25-hour fast and intensive synagogue services.

Yom Kippur is observed by Jewish communities worldwide, with the largest populations in Israel, the United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, and Russia. In Israel, Yom Kippur effectively brings the entire country to a standstill.

In Israel, Yom Kippur is a national public holiday. All businesses, restaurants, and public transport close; television and radio broadcasts stop; and even the roads are empty. In other countries, it is not a public holiday but is widely observed by Jewish communities.

Yom Kippur traditions include a 25-hour fast (from sunset to nightfall the next day), attending five synagogue prayer services including the Kol Nidre service on the eve, wearing white clothing symbolizing purity, refraining from bathing, cosmetics, leather shoes, and marital relations. The fast is broken with a festive meal after nightfall.