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Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, falls ten days after Rosh Hashanah. When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, the High Priest effected atonement for the entire people through an elaborate ritual. Today, in the absence of the Temple, each of us stands, alone, together, naked as it were, before God. Yom Kippur is the dramatic culmination of the entire season of teshuvah, repentance. On Yom Kippur, Jews abstain from eating, drinking, bathing, sexual relations, and the wearing of leather (a sign of luxury) for 25 hours. Jews dress in white and traditionally spend most of the day in synagogue.

Latest Rituals

“Pay attention. This is not a test.”
person in silhouette blowing shofar against white curtains
Acknowledging the loneliness of being unable to pray in community
person in red hoodie walking through field of tall wheat looking out to sunset in the distance
“We welcome those who join us virtually on these days”
person having online call or meeting with someone on the computer. live person is shown with hand as if gesturing in conversation. person on computer is smiling.
“Forgive me and help me to forgive myself and others”
white woman with eyes closed immersed in water, half her face submerged, smiling
“I propose that we add an element to the traditional tashlikh ceremony, symbolizing our power: fire.”
group of people sitting around bonfire under night sky, their faces glowing
“We may fast for many reasons / but on this day only one matters”
man holding book sitting on log appearing to be contemplative
“Will we, in the end, be as careful as he?”
ram on mountain in silhouette
bunch of pink impatiens
Finding forgiveness and self-compassion
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“May this be the year we choose / to live our lives fully”
khamkeo-vilaysing-AMQEB4-uG9k-unsplash

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