Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn and sacred of the Jewish holidays. It is referred to in Jewish literature the "Sabbath of Sabbaths." The Jewish sages tell us that on Rosh Hashanah G-d judges mankind and record that judgment in the Book of Life. Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur we get a 10-day reprieve, a chance to repent. On Yom Kippur the Book of Life is sealed, and those who have sincerely repented are granted a good and happy New Year. Yom Kippur is the day to ask forgiveness for promises broken to G-d. Traditionally, the day before Yom Kippur is reserved for asking forgiveness for broken promises between people, as G-d can only forgive broken promises made to Him. The focus of Yom Kippur is not doing. Jewish adults may not eat or drink, and the Shofar is not blown. The five main prohibitions of the day are: Eating and drinking; Anointing with perfumes or lotions; Marital relations;Washing; Wearing leather shoes. According to the The Talmud the person "who eats on the ninth of the month of Tishri (and fasts on the tenth, which is Yom Kippur), it is as if he had fasted both the ninth and tenth." Prayer is also down played on the ninth so that Jews can concentrate on eating and preparing for the fast. On the eve of Yom Kippur the community joins at the synagogue. Men put on their teliesm, (prayer shawls not usually worn for evening services). The cantor begins the "Kol Nidre", which is repeated three times, each time in a louder voice. "Vidui" (Viduy) or confession is an important part of the Yom Kippur service. The confessions help us reflect on sins and confession is part of asking G-d's forgiveness. Because community and unity are an important part of Jewish Life, the confessions are said in the plural (We are guilty). Yom Kippur ends with the Ne'ila service, a final opportunity for repentance. It is the only service of the year during which the doors to the Ark (where the Torah scrolls are stored) remain open from the beginning to end of the service, signifying that the gates of Heaven are open at this time. The service closes with seven repetitions of the verse, "The Lord is our G-d." The Shofar is sounded once and the congregation proclaims - "Next year in Jerusalem." Yom Kippur is over.
