Yom Kippur Eve
Yom Kippur is a holy day in Judaism, and its main themes are repentance and atonement. The purpose of this holiday is to effect not only personal purification through the practice of forgiveness but also collective purification. It is observed by forgiving the sins of others and repenting for one’s own sins that they have committed against God.
This is such an important religious day that Yom Kippur Eve has been placed on the calendar so that the Jewish congregation can prepare. On this day, there is an entire day of prayer and meditation that includes readings from the Torah and penitential prayers.
The History of Yom Kippur
As described in the Book of Leviticus in the Bible, Yom Kippur is a day of cleansing and a day when the Jewish people atone for their sins. It is a day that has been observed since biblical times, and that is why it is woven into Jewish culture. So much so that even non-observant Jews may take some time out of their day to observe the holiday in one way or another.
Observing Yom Kippur Eve
In Israel, it is observed as a public holiday, and all across the country, many businesses, government offices, and schools are either already closed or close early for the day. It has become popular in many communities for people to ride their bikes through the city since the streets are free of traffic.
On this holiday, people prepare for Yom Kippur by attending services, listening to readings from the Torah, and participating in penitential prayers.
