Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is the most important holidays for the Jewish. It is a time
for people to seek forgiveness from others. Yom Kippur is important because it
comes just before the Jewish new year so that people can have a fresh start for
the new year. Yom Kippur also gives people a chance to look back on the past
year and plan for the upcoming year.

Yom Kippur dates back to biblical times when animals were used to
transfer sins to. The first animal that was used was a goat, but soon roosters
for males and hens for females were used. The sins were transferred from people
to the animals by tying a rope to the fowl's legs and then spinning around the
head of the person who was transferring their sins. While the fowl was being
spun the person who was transferring their sins would begin chanting. When the
ceremony was finished the animal would be sent away into the dessert. Yom
Kippur is practiced very differently today. Instead of transferring their sins
to animals people donate money to charities and throw stones into ponds.

On the night before Yom Kippur, people prepare for the following day's
fast by eating an enourmous meal. Following the meal candles are lit and the
Shehecheyanu is recited to bless the candles. The following day is spent at the
synogauge where services are conducted all day long. The most important part of
the services is when the rabbi asks everyone to take time to seek forgiveness of
anyone whom they may have hurt in some ...

Yom Kippur

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