Editing Yom Kippur (section)

== Customs ==

=== Erev Yom Kippur ===
[[File:Weinles On the eve of Yom Kippur.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''On the eve of Yom Kippur'' by [[Jakub Weinles]]]]

On the day preceding Yom Kippur, known as {{Lang|he-latn|Erev Yom Kippur}} (lit. 'eve [of] day [of] atonement'), a number of activities are customarily performed in preparation for Yom Kippur. These activities generally relate to the themes of the holiday, but are forbidden or impractical to do on Yom Kippur itself.

According to the [[Talmud]], "Yom Kippur does not atone for sins between a person and his fellow until he has appeased his fellow."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.85b.7 |title=Yoma 85b |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517191451/https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.85b.7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Thus, it is common practice on Erev Yom Kippur to request forgiveness from other individuals for misdeeds one has done to them. The Talmud records no less than 14 stories attesting to the importance of the day for repairing relationships with one's spouses, parents, children, coworkers, the poor, and other individuals.<ref name=navon>{{cite web |url=http://www.divreinavon.com/pdf/ErevYomKippur.pdf |title=Erev Yom Kippur – The purpose of the day as seen through Talmudic anecdotes (PDF) |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=24 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624202150/http://www.divreinavon.com/pdf/ErevYomKippur.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The day before a major Jewish holiday is often devoted towards preparing for that holiday (as with burning ''[[chametz]]'' before [[Passover]] or obtaining the [[Four Species]] before [[Sukkot]]); for Yom Kippur, the appropriate preparation is to seek forgiveness from one's fellow man.<ref name=navon/> Nevertheless, one should not ask forgiveness if this will cause further harm (for example, by bringing up an insult the victim was unaware of).<ref name=eyk/>

According to ''[[halakha]]'', one must eat on Erev Yom Kippur. A variety of reasons have been suggested for this requirement, among them:<ref name=eyk/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/989587/jewish/Pre-Fast-Feasting.htm |title=Pre-Fast Feasting |website=chabad.org |access-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820231408/https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/989587/jewish/Pre-Fast-Feasting.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Most obviously, eating well before the fast will make it easier to complete the fast in good health.
* Eating before the fast will actually make the fast subjectively more difficult, due to "withdrawal" from the previous day's feast, and thus increase a person's level of "affliction" on this day (though it is not agreed that a person should in fact attempt to increase their affliction beyond the basic requirements<ref name=angel>{{Cite web |url=https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/2659 |title=צום יום הכיפורים - עינוי נפש או כמלאכים |access-date=21 May 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521083638/https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/2659 |url-status=live }}</ref>).
* In general, Jewish holidays are celebrated with festive meals. Since a meal celebrating Yom Kippur cannot be held on the day itself, it is held beforehand.
* One celebrates the forgiveness they are about to receive for their sins, thus demonstrating that they are in fact bothered by their sins, and thus are more deserving of forgiveness.

[[Kreplach]] are traditionally served at the pre-fast meal.<ref>Gelbard, Shmuel P., ''Rite and Reason: 1050 Jewish customs and their sources'' (Engl. transl. 1998, Petach Tikvah, Isr., Mifal Rashi Publ'g) page 456.</ref> Also, it is common to ask for and receive [[lekach]] on Erev Yom Kippur.<ref>{{cite book | last=Schneerson | first=Menachem Mendel | title=Proceeding Together | date=1995 | isbn=978-1-881400-43-1 | page=10| publisher=Sichos in English }}</ref>

Many [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] men immerse themselves in a ''[[mikveh]]'' on this day.<ref name = OU>{{cite web |url=http://www.ou.org/chagim/yomkippur/ykcustoms.htm |title=OU Customs for Erev Yom Kippur |access-date=September 21, 2008 |archive-date=10 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910040536/http://www.ou.org/chagim/yomkippur/ykcustoms.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Opinions differ on whether this is a technical act to remove [[Tumah and taharah|ritual impurity]], or else a symbolic one to symbolize one's cleansing from sin on Yom Kippur.<ref name=eyk>David Brofsky, [https://www.etzion.org.il/en/halakha/orach-chaim/holidays/laws-and-practices-erev-yom-kippur The Laws and Practices of Erev Yom Kippur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517191452/https://www.etzion.org.il/en/halakha/orach-chaim/holidays/laws-and-practices-erev-yom-kippur |date=17 May 2023 }}</ref>

The ''[[kapparot]]'' ritual, in which either money or a chicken is given to charity, is performed by some on Erev Yom Kippur as a means to enhance atonement.

Prior to this day's morning prayer service ([[Shacharit]]), ''[[selichot]]'' prayers are recited, as they have been for the entire High Holiday period. In the afternoon prayer ([[Mincha]]), the [[Confession (Judaism)#In prayer|long confession]] is recited, just as it is on Yom Kippur itself. This confession is recited before the last Erev Yom Kippur meal (the "Separation Meal" - in Hebrew [[Seudat mitzvah#Seudah HaMafseket|''se'udah'' ''hamafseket'']] or ''aruha'' ''hamafseket''),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/989816/jewish/Separation-Meal.htm#:~:text=Prior%20to%20sunset%2C%20we%20partake,such%20as%20chicken%20and%20soup. |title=The Separation Meal |website=chabad.org |access-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001112106/https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/989816/jewish/Separation-Meal.htm#:~:text=Prior%20to%20sunset%2C%20we%20partake,such%20as%20chicken%20and%20soup. |url-status=live }}</ref> in case one becomes intoxicated at this meal and is unable to confess properly afterwards, or else because a person might choke to death at that meal and die without confessing (seemingly an unlikely possibility, but one which reminds a person of their mortality).<ref name=eyk/> Nevertheless, some recommend repeating the Vidui immediately before Kol Nidrei if time allows.<ref>Ramban Yoma Yoma 87b.</ref>

=== Fasting and asceticism ===

The Torah commands Jews to "afflict themselves" ({{Lang|hbo-latn|ve'initem et nafshoteichem}}) on Yom Kippur.<ref>{{bibleverse|Leviticus|16:29|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|16:31|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|23:27|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|23:29|HE}}</ref> While these verses do not explicitly mention the form of affliction, the phrase "afflicting oneself" frequently appears elsewhere in connection with fasting or lack of food,<ref>{{Bibleverse|Psalms|35:13|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Isaiah|58:3|HE}}; {{Bibleverse-nb|Isaiah|58:10|HE}}; see also {{Bibleverse|Deuteronomy|8:3|HE}}, etc.</ref> and public fast days for repentance were a common practice in Biblical times.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mg.alhatorah.org/Dictionary/6685 |title=Concordance: צוֹם |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517074411/https://mg.alhatorah.org/Dictionary/6685 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the [[Oral Torah|Jewish oral tradition]], the Yom Kippur "affliction" consists of the following five prohibitions:<ref>''[[Mishnah]]'' tractate ''[[Yoma]]'' 8:1</ref>
# Fasting (no eating and drinking)
# No wearing of leather shoes
# No bathing or [[washing]]
# No [[anointing]] oneself with perfumes or lotions
# No sex

In traditional custom, the fast is required of males over age 13 and females over age 12.<ref>[https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/yom-kippur-fasting-the-details/ Yom Kippur Fasting: The Details]</ref> However, fasting is waived in the case of dangerous medical conditions ([[pikuach nefesh]]),<ref>See Shulchan Aruch OC 618 and commentaries for the details of who is considered to fall into this category.</ref> and in such a case one is actually required to break the fast.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/saving-a-life-pikuach-nefesh/ |title=Saving a Life (Pikuach Nefesh) |publisher=[[MyJewishLearning.com]] |accessdate=2023-09-24 |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929100914/https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/saving-a-life-pikuach-nefesh/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Just as it is a [[mitzvah]] to fast on Yom Kippur, it may also be a mitzvah to eat or drink on Yom Kippur to safeguard a person's health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aish.com/eating-on-yom-kippur/ |title=Eating on Yom Kippur? |date=22 August 2011 |publisher=[[Aish.com]] |accessdate=2023-09-24}}</ref> In such situations, though, it is preferable (if the medical situation allows for it) to consume only small amounts of food or drink at a time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/528963/jewish/What-is-the-procedure-for-one-who-must-eat-on-Yom-Kippur.htm |title=What is the procedure for one who must eat on Yom Kippur? |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618103454/https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/528963/jewish/What-is-the-procedure-for-one-who-must-eat-on-Yom-Kippur.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/15-08-05/ |title=Peninei Halakha: 05. Eating and Drinking Minimal Quantities ("Le-shi'urim") |access-date=18 June 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618103842/https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/15-08-05/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fasting, along with the other restrictions, begins at [[sunset|sundown]], and ends after [[dusk|nightfall]] the following day. One should add a few minutes to the beginning and end of the day, called {{Lang|he-latn|tosefet Yom Kippur}}, lit. 'addition to Yom Kippur'.

Yom Kippur is one of the only occasions when fasting is permitted on [[Shabbat]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mako.co.il/spirituality-popular_culture/weekly-answer/Article-a89185b28745e31006.htm |title=מתי אפשר להזיז מועדים? |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=4 September 2023 |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904072241/https://www.mako.co.il/spirituality-popular_culture/weekly-answer/Article-a89185b28745e31006.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Technically, one can fast following a bad dream on Shabbat, see TB Shabbat 11a.  Nevertheless, this is rarely practiced in our times.</ref>

====Symbolism====

A number of different interpretations of these restrictions have been suggested.

In one approach, fasting replaces animal sacrifices. Fasting causes one's fat and blood to be diminished, just as the fat and blood of a sacrifice were burned on the altar. Thus, the fast is a form of sacrifice which can atone for sin like the Temple sacrifices once did.<ref>[https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.17a.5 Brachot 17a]</ref>

Other approaches suggest that the prohibitions represent not suffering, but rather special holiness. For example, on Yom Kippur, Jews are said to become like angels. Just as angels do not need to eat, drink, or wear shoes, so too Jews do not engage on these activities on Yom Kippur.<ref name=angel1>{{Cite web |url=https://torah.etzion.org.il/en/shiur-09-five-types-affliction-part-ii-yom-kippur-service-all-israel |title=The Affliction: Being an Angel for a Day |access-date=21 May 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521091410/https://torah.etzion.org.il/en/shiur-09-five-types-affliction-part-ii-yom-kippur-service-all-israel |url-status=dead }}</ref> By detaching themselves from physical needs, Jews become purified and resemble angels.<ref name=angel2>[https://news-archive.hds.harvard.edu/news/2016/09/30/becoming-angels-yom-kippur Becoming Angels on Yom Kippur]</ref><ref>Drashot [[Maharal]] for Shabbat Shuva</ref>

Similarly, the prohibitions allude to the experience of Moses on Mount Sinai, who did not eat or drink while receiving the Torah and while receiving forgiveness for the people's sins.<ref name=rmed/>

Similarly, the prohibitions have been interpreted as a return to the purity of the biblical Garden of Eden. Upon leaving Eden shoes became necessary for the first time ("thorns and thistles will grow in your way...the snake will raise its head (to bite you) and you will give your heel (to crush it)"<ref>{{Bibleverse|Genesis|3:18|HE}}, {{Bibleverse-nb|Genesis|3:15|HE}}</ref>); thus on Yom Kippur Jews do not wear (leather) shoes. While in Eden food and drink were easily obtained, but after the expulsion man must work for food "by the sweat of [his] brow"; thus food and drink are refrained from on Yom Kippur, as well as washing, and the use of cosmetics to remove sweat or its odor. In Eden death was unknown and procreation unnecessary; similarly on Yom Kippur marital relations are avoided.<ref name = air1>{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/a/nyu.edu/avi-rabinowitz/home/yom-kippur-which-shoes-did-adam-wear-when-he-was-run-out-of-the-garden-of-eden-sneakers |title=Why Rabbis wear sneakers on their holiest day |access-date=20 August 2015 |archive-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024070445/https://sites.google.com/a/nyu.edu/avi-rabinowitz/home/yom-kippur-which-shoes-did-adam-wear-when-he-was-run-out-of-the-garden-of-eden-sneakers |url-status=live }}"Article by Avi Rabinowitz, NYU homepages"</ref>

According to [[Maimonides]], the purpose of fasting (and the restriction on work) is to remove distractions from the task of repentance.<ref>[[The Guide for the Perplexed]], 3:43</ref>

By refraining from these activities, the body is uncomfortable but can still survive. The soul is considered to be the life force in a body. Therefore, by making one's body uncomfortable, one's soul is uncomfortable. By feeling pain, one can feel how others feel when they are in pain.<ref>Abrams, Judith. Yom Kippur: A Family Service Minneapolis: KAR-BEN, 1990. Print</ref>

===Prohibition on work===
The Torah calls Yom Kippur a day of rest ({{Lang|hbo-latn|shabbat shabbaton}}) on which work is prohibited.<ref>{{bibleverse|Leviticus|16:29|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|16:31|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|23:27|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb|Leviticus|23:30|HE}}</ref> Thus, the activities forbidden on [[Shabbat]] are also forbidden on Yom Kippur: the [[39 Melakhot|39 categories of work]] as well as the [[Rabbinically prohibited activities of Shabbat|rabbinic Shabbat prohibitions]].<ref name=ph>{{Cite web |url=https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/category/15/15-07/ |title=Peninei Halacha: Chapter 07 – Laws of Yom Kippur |access-date=17 May 2023 |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610075545/https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/category/15/15-07/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other observances===
Wearing white clothing is traditional to symbolize one's purity on this day.<ref>See the Mishnah according to the text of [[Jerusalem Talmud]], [https://www.sefaria.org/Jerusalem_Talmud_Taanit.4.7.1 Taanit 4:7 (26a)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108100122/https://www.sefaria.org/Jerusalem_Talmud_Taanit.4.7.1 |date=8 January 2024 }} for an early mention of this practice among the people of Jerusalem.</ref> Various reasons have been suggested for this custom:
* On Yom Kippur, Jews are similar to the angels in heaven who are said to wear white.<ref>[[Shulchan Aruch]], [[Orach Chaim]], 610:4; see {{Alhatorah|Leviticus|16:4|Ramban}} which links the High Priest's white Yom Kippur garments to the angels' white garments ({{Bibleverse|Ezekiel|9:3|HE}}; {{Bibleverse|Daniel|10:5|HE}})</ref>
* To alludes to the verse "If your sins are like [[Kermes (dye)|crimson]], they shall become white as snow" ({{Bibleverse|Isaiah|1:18|HE}})<ref name=rmed>{{Cite web |url=https://rambam-medicine.org.il/yom-kipur/ |title=הכנת הגוף והנפש ליום כיפור |date=11 April 2021 |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629051629/https://rambam-medicine.org.il/yom-kipur/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* To recall the High Priest who wore white for the Yom Kippur Temple service (and on no other occasion)<ref name=rmed/>

Many [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi Jewish]] men wear a [[kittel]] which, in addition to being white, symbolizes the seriousness of God's judgment on this day, as in some communities the deceased are buried wearing kittels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/561,2080037/Why-is-a-kittel-worn-on-Yom-Kippur.html |title=Why is a kittel worn on Yom Kippur |website=askmoses.com |first=Simcha |last=Bart |access-date=2009-09-30 |archive-date=2011-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607070303/http://www.askmoses.com/en/article/561,2080037/Why-is-a-kittel-worn-on-Yom-Kippur.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Yom Kippur is honored in the same ways as [[Shabbat]] and other holidays, to the extent permitted. Thus, the house is cleaned ahead of time, and the table covered with a nice tablecloth, even though it will not be used for eating. The synagogue is cleaned ahead of time, and all the lights left on. One bathes before Yom Kippur, and clean clothes are worn. Smelling pleasant smells is allowed on Yom Kippur, so many make a point of smelling pleasant spices throughout the day.<ref name=ph/>

In most communities, candles are lit just before Yom Kippur, as is done before Shabbat.  However, there were communities which had the custom not to light candles when Yom Kippur falls on a weekday (when it falls on Shabbat, everyone agrees that there is an obligation to light just like any other Sabbath), and therefore the Halachic authorities debate whether or not a blessing is recited on this lighting.<ref>Shulchan Aruch OC 610</ref>

It is traditional for parents to give their children a special blessing before beginning the Yom Kippur prayers.<ref>[[Chayei Adam]], 144:19</ref> Those whose parents have died light a [[yahrzeit candle]] in their memory before Yom Kippur begins.<ref>[[Aruch Hashulchan]] 610:6</ref>

=== Breaking of the fast ===
Following the fast, [[Sephardic Jews|Sephardic Jewish]] communities traditionally serve a drink made from melon seeds similar to the Turkish ''sübye''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Apan |first1=Mukaddes Arigül |last2=Zorba |first2=Murat |date=2018-03-22 |title=Improvement of quality and shelf-life of Sübye, a traditional beverage of Turkey |journal=Food Science and Technology |language=en |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=719–725 |doi=10.1590/1678-457X.12517 |issn=0101-2061|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Old Sephardi Yishuv in Eretz Israel |publisher=Ben-Zvi Institute for the Study of Jewish Communities in the East; Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem |year=2023 |editor-last=Ben-Naeh |editor-first=Yaron |series=Jewish Communities in the East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries |pages=371–372 |language=he |trans-title=היישוב היהודי הספרדי הישן בארץ ישראל |issn=1565-0774 |editor-last2=Held Delaroza |editor-first2=Michal}}</ref> [[History of the Jews in Turkey|Turkish Jews]] refer to it as ''subiye'', while [[Greek Jews]] call it ''[[pepitada]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subiye \ Pepitada – Melon seed drink for breaking fast |url=https://www.foodish.org/en/community-recipe/subiye-pepitada-melon-seed-drink/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Foodish – by [[Anu – Museum of the Jewish People]] |language=en-US}}</ref> This is followed by coffee with milk and ''[[biscochos]]'' (savory ring-shaped cookies), pieces of bread dipped in olive oil and ''[[za'atar]]'' alongside tomato, and later, chicken cooked with dry [[Quince|quinces]] or plums.<ref name=":0" />