Yom Kippur facts for kids
Yom Kippur is a very important Jewish holiday. It is also called the Day of Atonement. This means it's a day for asking for forgiveness. It lasts for 25 hours. During this time, Jewish people ask God to forgive them for any mistakes or wrong things they have done.
People fast on Yom Kippur. This means they do not eat or drink anything. They also go to a synagogue, which is a Jewish place of worship. Other things people avoid doing include washing, using perfumes, and lotions. Many wear white clothes. This color is a symbol of being pure and clean. Even though people fast, Yom Kippur is seen as a happy holiday. This is because Jewish people believe God will forgive them on this special day.
What is the Meaning of Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. This month is part of the Hebrew calendar. In Jewish tradition, God decides what will happen to each person in the coming year. This decision is written in a "book" on Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year. God then waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" this book.
During the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jewish people try to be better. They think about their actions and ask God to forgive them for mistakes they made. This asking for forgiveness is called Vidui. By the end of Yom Kippur, Jewish people feel that God has forgiven them.
How is Yom Kippur Celebrated?
The prayer services on Yom Kippur are very special. On a normal day, there are three prayer services. These are Ma'ariv (evening prayer), Shacharit (morning prayer), and Mincha (afternoon prayer). On a Shabbat or other major Jewish holiday, there are four prayer services. This includes the three regular ones plus Musaf, which is an additional prayer.
Yom Kippur has a fifth prayer service. It is called Ne'ilah, which means the closing prayer. All five of these prayer services include a public confession of sins. This is the Vidui that people say together. The additional Musaf prayer also includes a special part. It is about the avodah (service) that the High Priest used to perform. This happened in the Temple in Jerusalem a long time ago.
Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays. Many Jewish people observe it, even if they do not observe other holidays. More people go to synagogue on Yom Kippur than on any other day of the year.
See also
In Spanish: Yom Kipur para niños
Images for kids
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On the eve of Yom Kippur by Jakub Weinles
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Cliffs of Mount Azazel
