Yom Kippur (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What is Yom Kippur?

• Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar

  • It is the final day of the Ten Days of Awe, which begin with Rosh Hashanah

  • It marks the time when G-d seals the Book of Life

• The purpose of Yom Kippur is that it is a day for atonement (forgiveness), repentance (Teshuvah) and reconciliation with both G-d and others

  • Jews believe that on this day, their fate is sealed for the coming year 

What happens during Yom Kippur?

• There are many significant practices that happen during Yom Kippur

  • Many Jews will fast for a total of 25 hours

    • This act shows self-discipline and means that Jews can focus on spiritual matters

  • Jews attend five synagogue services, including the Kol Nidrei (opening prayer) and Neilah (closing prayer)

    • This also includes the Vidui (confession of sins)

  • Jews wear white during this time

    • This symbolises purity and spiritual renewal

  • During Yom Kippur, there is no work or physical comforts

    • All Jews should avoid bathing, perfumes, leather shoes, etc.

    • This helps shift focus entirely to repentance and G-d

• Jews will ask forgiveness from other people before the day begins, as G-d only forgives sins against him

How repentance is shown on Yom Kippur

• There are many ways in which Jews demonstrate repentance during Yom Kippur

• Yom Kippur is a day when individuals examine their thoughts and actions from throughout the year and confess their sins publicly and privately

  • Jews take part in five synagogue services, reciting prayers of repentance

    • They say the Vidui, a formal confession of sins, both personally and communally

    • This shows honesty, humility and a desire to change

  • The practice of fasting and avoiding physical comforts

    • This demonstrates self-discipline and keeping the focus on repentance

  • Jews ask others for forgiveness before Yom Kippur

    • This fulfils the teaching that Jews must make peace with others before repenting before G-d

How is Yom Kippur an opportunity for reconciliation and new resolutions?

• Yom Kippur is viewed by Jews as a chance to begin again with a clean heart and better intentions

  • It is believed that new resolutions help Jews live more righteously in the year ahead

• The commitment to change (Teshuvah) is also part of this process

  • This is not a process that only involves saying sorry; it includes expressing regret, stopping the wrong action, making things right and promising not to repeat the sin

• Jews often make resolutions to be more active, caring and involved in the coming year

  • Yom Kippur provides an opportunity to make conscious decisions to change behaviours and habits

  • The event is a time for personal and spiritual development, encouraging a closer connection to G-d and a commitment to living a more meaningful life

  • Many make resolutions to be more honest, just and compassionate in their dealings with others

What happens at the synagogue services for Yom Kippur?

• Kol Nidrei takes place during the evening before Yom Kippur, just before sunset

  • The Kol Nidrei prayer is chanted and asks for the annulment of vows made to G-d that cannot be kept

• The next day (Yom Kippur) involves services that last most of the day and include the following:

  • Vidui (confession) 

    • Repeated several times. The congregation confesses sins out loud using a set list

  • Amidah (standing prayer) 

    • Said multiple times and includes prayers for forgiveness and mercy

  • Al Chet 

    • A longer confession of sins, listing many specific wrongdoings

  • Torah readings 

    • Include texts about atonement and repentance (for example, Leviticus 16)

  • Haftarah reading 

    • Often from the Book of Isaiah, focusing on true repentance and justice

  • Neilah (closing service) 

    • This is the final, intense prayer asking for G-d's forgiveness

  • At this point, the gates of heaven are said to be closing, and so it is the last chance for atonement

  • It ends with the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn), marking the end of the fast and Yom Kippur

• The services are meant to help Jews ask G-d for forgiveness, reflect on past actions and promise to improve and unite the community in repentance