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Holidays
Yom Kippur
What does Yom Kippur celebrate?
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday. It is also called the "Day of Atonement" and is considered to be the holiest day of the year for Jewish people.
When is Yom Kippur celebrated?
It is celebrated at the end of the High Holy Days, ten days after Rosh Hashanah. This occurs sometime during the months of September or October.
Who celebrates this day?
This is the holiest of the Jewish holidays and is observed by most Jewish people.
What do people do to celebrate?
This day is a very serious day for Jewish people. They must fast, meaning that they do not eat or drink. They are also not allowed to work. They spend a good deal of the day praying and attending services at the synagogue. The day has five official prayer services.
The main thing Jewish people do on this day is ask God for forgiveness of their sins. This is called Teshuvah or repentance.
History of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur has been observed by the Jewish people for thousands of years. The day is mentioned in the Bible and Torah several times as set aside special by God.
Fun Facts About Yom Kippur
- Most people wear white during the holiday. Married men often wear a white robe called a kittle.
- The Yom Kippur War occurred when Syria and Egypt attacked Israel on Yom Kippur hoping that their army would be distracted by the holiday.
- Many people fast for 25 hours during the holiday.
- People are also not supposed to bathe, wash, wear perfumes, or wear leather shoes on this day.
- Children and pregnant women are not permitted to fast.
- The common greeting on this holiday is "have an easy fast".
- Major League Baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax was Jewish. He decided not to pitch in game 1 of the World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur.
- The next major Jewish holiday after Yom Kippur is called Sukkot.
- Yom Kippur is the second of the High Holy Days after Rosh Hashanah.
Yom Kippur Dates
- September 26, 2012
- September 14, 2013
- October 4, 2014
- September 23, 2015
- October 12, 2016
- October 1, 2017
- September 20, 2018
- October 10, 2019
October Holidays
Yom Kippur
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Columbus Day
Child Health Day
Halloween
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