Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur History

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar and is observed by many Jewish Canadians. The observance is a period of reflection, repentance, and fasting, enabling individuals to evaluate their past actions and seek forgiveness for transgressions. Many follow traditional prayers and rituals, including attending synagogue services, abstaining from work, and engaging in charitable deeds as part of the solemn day.

The origins of Yom Kippur trace back to ancient Jewish traditions, with the observance described in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Leviticus, and the holiday gained significance in the Jewish calendar during the Babylonian Exile and later the Second Temple period in Jerusalem. Jewish communities in Canada have been observing Yom Kippur since the first wave of Jewish immigration to the country in the early 18th century. Today, many Canadian Jews recognize Yom Kippur as an essential part of their religious and cultural identity, maintaining the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and self-improvement.

In Canada, Yom Kippur is observed in various ways, reflecting the nation's diverse Jewish population and traditions. Synagogues typically host special services featuring Bible readings, confessional prayers, and shofar blowing (ram's horn). Many Jewish Canadians also attend gatherings with family, friends, and community members to break the fast held after the observance. Yom Kippur generally falls in September or October, with the exact date varying each year according to the Hebrew calendar.

Yom Kippur (Begins) facts

• It is customary to eat a festive meal on the Eve of Yom Kippur with round challah bread, a meat meal and sustaining foods. One is not allowed to risk one's life and thus anyone in danger of life from fasting, including the young and sick are not allowed to fast. Yom Kippur is the only Jewish fast observed on a Sabbath, due to its importance.
• Yom Kippur Liturgy in Orthodox and most Traditional communities includes Kol Nidre prayer in which Jews annul all their vows and Avinu Malkeinu, 'Our father our King'.
• The Jewish tradition states that God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah, and the verdict is sealed on Yom Kippur.
• Fasting is a central aspect of Yom Kippur observance. Most adult Jews abstain from food and drink for approximately 25 hours, from sundown on the eve of Yom Kippur until sundown on the following day. Exceptions are made for those who are ill, pregnant, or nursing.
• In 1838, Canada's first Synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, was built in Montreal to serve the growing Jewish community.

In the News and Trending in Canada for Yom Kippur

Top things to do in Canada for Yom Kippur

• Attend or watch a Yom Kippur service. You can watch a Yom Kippur service on Youtube.
• Learn about the Yom Kippur war. You can watch a documentary on the Yom Kippur war on YouTube.
• One of the central observances of Yom Kippur is fasting for a 25-hour period. Many people come together to break their fast at the end of Yom Kippur with a communal meal, which is often organized by synagogues or local Jewish organizations.
• Many synagogues are offering online services during Yom Kippur. Participate in virtual prayer services, listen to the chanting of Kol Nidre, and participate in the Neilah service.