Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement and God’s Forgiveness

Today marks the close of the great Jewish feast of Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

Yom Kippur follows closely on the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and occurs on the 10th day of Tishrei (this year, that means sunset Sept. 24 to after nightfall on Sept. 25). Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the “High Holy Days” or “Days of Awe” of Judaism. God judges all creatures between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to Jewish tradition. No work is to be done on Yom Kippur.