Yom Kippur starts tonight, 10/11 at sunset and ends tomorrow, 10/12 at sundown. So what exactly is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is our day of atonement. It takes place 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. In these 10 days, we ask those we have wronged over the past year for forgiveness. It is believed that the Books of Life and Death are opened on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.
On Yom Kippur, we aim to divorce ourselves from the mundane world in order to focus on repentance and our relationships with others and G-d.
Fasting is a common practice—those who cannot fast for their mental or physical health should not. Other practices include refraining from washing, sexual relations, or wearing leather. Additionally, many attend services, which focus on reflection and remembrance of the past year.
The traditional greeting for Yom Kippur is “Gmar chatima tova,” (pronounced guh-MAHR khah-tee-MAH toe-VAH) which literally translates to “a good sealing.” This is in reference to our fates being sealed in the Book of Life for the year on Yom Kippur. Some may wish others a meaningful or easy fast. However, not all those who observe Yom Kippur can or do fast, so please be mindful if you chose to say this.
G'mar Chatima Tova!
Source:
We recommend A Mitzvah to Eat as a resource for anyone unable to fast.