Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days of the year in the Hebrew calendar. This day of fasting is accompanied by prayers and many prohibitions. Here are the rites and meanings of Yom Kippur.
In the Hebrew calendar, the day of Yom Kippur corresponds to the holiest day of the year. It is also called the “day of atonement“or the Day of Atonement. The faithful gather at the synagogue to pray, repent and atone for their sins. During this day of youngmany prohibitions must be respected (in addition to not eating). Date and times of Yom Kippur 2024, origin of the holiday, rituals, blowing of the shofar… Here are 9 things to know about Yom Kippur this year.
When is Yom Kippur in 2024?
This year, Yom Kippur takes place on Saturday, October 12. But the holiday begins the evening before, Friday, October 11, 2024. In the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur always occurs on the tenth day of Tishri, which is the first month of the Jewish calendar year. After the feast of Yom Kippur, we prepare, the next day, for the feast of Sukkot (the feast of booths).
What are the Yom Kippur times in 2024?
The beginning and end of the Yom Kippur fast varies depending on the city, since the times depend on nightfall. In Paris for example, Yom Kippur begins on Friday October 11 at 6:50 p.m. and ends the next day at 7:54 p.m.. In the South, in Marseille, Yom Kippur begins at 6:43 p.m. and ends the next day at 7:43 p.m. For residents of Strasbourg: 6:28 p.m.-7:32 p.m.; in Lyon (6:43 p.m.-7:44 p.m.); in Bordeaux (7:05 p.m.-8:06 p.m.)…
What is the story of Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur commemorates God’s forgiveness of the Jewish people after the sin of the Golden Calf. In this biblical episode, Moses disappears for forty days in order to receive the Tablets of the law. During this interlude, the Jewish people made another idol, a calf, made with the women’s gold jewelry. This figure of adoration would be inspired by Apis, a bull worshiped in Egypt.
The biblical story (Exodus 32) mentions an orgy which, accompanying this sequence of idolatry, would have triggered the ire of God. In order to obtain forgiveness from the people of Israel, Moses went up Mount Sinai and implored God for mercy. It’s the 10thth day of the month of Tishrei – day of Yom Kippur – that he obtained forgiveness. A time of repentance allowing a review of the past year, Yom Kippur gives Jews the opportunity to pray for universal harmony and to commit to making new resolutions for the year to come.
What are the prohibitions during Yom Kippur?
During Yom Kippur, Jews are encouraged to clear their minds and observe a strict fast. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, they are not allowed to wash, apply makeup, or slather their bodies with oils or lotions, nor can they wear leather shoes. Marital relations are also prohibited. We do not work, nor do we use electricity or transport, like the rules of Shabbat. Furthermore, it is customary to wear white clothes, symbols of purity.
What is the ritual to do on the eve of Yom Kippur?
On the eve of Yom Kippur, some Jews perform “Kapparot”. This is a atonement ritual which consists of sacrificing a chicken, which is then eaten before the start of the fast, and at the end of Yom Kippur. We also have the habit of donating a few coins to the most needy and we light candles before the start of the party. Still according to customs, a hearty meal is served, usually couscous with chicken and chicken broth. Finally, to make amends for yourself, every Jew must ask forgiveness from everyone around himespecially those who might have been offended.
What does the blowing of the shofar at the end of Yom Kippur represent?
The shofara wind musical instrument, traditional for synagogues, made from a ram’s horn (in memory of the sacrifice of the animal by Abraham, in place of his son Isaac) marks the end of the Yom Kippur fast. The shofar is mentioned for the first time in the Bible, at the foot of Mount Sinai. This kind of powerful siren aims to “awaken” everyone’s soul to bring them back to spirituality. Remember that the shofar is also sounded during the previous Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.
What do we eat to “break” the Yom Kippur fast?
For breaking the Yom Kippur fastmany chicken recipes are prepared. Chicken broth, chicken couscous, chickpea and chicken omelette, chicken pot or chicken tagine... This poultry indeed represents a symbol of atonement. As for sweet dishes, these are mounas and brioches which are traditionally cooked. We can also cite the quince jamsthat of raisins and almonds, little raisin breads or even boulous. But there are customs specific to each family, whether Sephardic or Ashkenazi – the two main origins of Judaism in France today.
Who can fast on Yom Kippur and at what age?
Fasting only begins upon reaching religious majority, 13 years for boys, 12 years for girls. Some more fragile people like sick people are exempt from this practice, as are women who have just given birth (within 72 hours after baby’s birth). A pregnant and breastfeeding woman can, however, fast according to religion, but it is always advisable to seek the advice of her doctor in each case.
To wish a happy Yom Kippur, we can say “Hag Sameah” (happy holiday), Tsom Kal (good fast) and also “Gmar Hatima Tova“who gives in French “that you may be written in the book of Life!”