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Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is one of the high holidays in Judaism and one of the holiest days of the year. Beginning on the date of Tishrei 9, Jews around the world observe the holiday for almost 26 hours. Jews abstain from all food and drink (excluding those who are pregnant or have health problems), do not wash or wear perfume, do not wear leather and do not engage in marital relations. The day is steeped in prayer and introspection, though is also a day of great joy, since it is a day when sins between man and God are absolved.
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 ON A STREET in Jerusalem, Hersh Goldberg-Polin is depicted in a mural created by friends. When we learned of Yahya Sinwar’s demise mere days after Yom Kippur, I couldn’t help but think that our prayers had something to do with it; maybe it was even thanks to Hersh, says the writer.

This Yom Kippur, I prayed with all my might

By HAYIM LEITER
 A general view of Tehran after several explosions were heard, in Tehran, Iran, October 26, 2024.

Why did Israel name its operation against Iran 'Days of Repentance?'

 Masses gather at the Western Wall last week, during the days leading up to Yom Kippur. The prayers we recited and the commitments we made on Yom Kippur are lacking in value without follow-up, the writer asserts.

Following up on our Yom Kippur prayers

 The Town and Village Synagogue in New York's East Village.

After bomb threat interrupted Kol Nidre, this congregation kept praying on Manhattan street

By Jackie Hajdenberg/JTA
 An illustrative image of people breaking their fast after Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur, ‘sinat hinam,’ and Israel's failed leadership - opinion

1700 people join Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto for Yom Kippur prayers in Jerusalem

By David Berger
 Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur act as an anchor for the Jewish people.

Yom Kippur reflections: Atonement in a post-October 7 Israel

 Klausen Synagogue in Prague, November 2016.

Historic Prague synagogue used on Yom Kippur for the first time since the Holocaust

By SHIRA LI BARTOV/JTA
 Paul McCartney seen with his wife attending Yom Kippur prayer services in Chile synagogue on Saturday October 12, 2024

Paul McCartney spotted attending Yom Kippur prayers in Chile

 IDF soldiers sit in a military vehicle, in northern Israel, this week. Israel’s struggle is not just a fight for its own survival but also a fight for humanity and the values of the civilized world, the writer argues.

Reflection and unity: A Yom Kippur like never before – opinion

MDA forces arrive at Tunnels Checkpoint, south of Jerusalem, 6 August 2024.

MDA treats nearly 3000 cases over Yom Kippur, one man killed

By YOAV ETIEL , AVICHAI HAIM
 An illustrative image of a Torah scroll and a shofar for Yom Kippur.

Financial and personal repentance: A guide to post-Yom Kippur economic security

By AARON KATSMAN
 Jerusalem's Four Species market ahead of Sukkot.

Jerusalem highlights: October 11-17

 A building was hit in Nahariya after drone intrusion alerts sounded in the area. September 9, 2024.

Hamas, Hezbollah increase attacks on Jewish holiday - despite seeking Ramadan respite

Sandy Koufax pitches during Game 7 of the 1965 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Minnesota Twins, Oct. 14, 1965, at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis.

Sandy Koufax famously didn’t pitch on Yom Kippur in 1965. But did he go to synagogue?

By Jacob Gurvis/JTA
 Police at a hostages rally in Central Park, March 24, 2024.

These Jewish teens in Miami are striking a defiant tone in a High Holiday season haunted by Oct. 7

By Tamar Grobman/JTA
Children evacuated from Germany on the Kindertransport in 1938/1939 are given candies in Southampton, England

This Yom Kippur, we must jump the barricades and become a unified Jewish state

By JONATHAN LIEBERMAN
 FREED HOSTAGE Sapir Cohen holds up a poster of captive partner Sasha Alexander Trupanov at an Evening of Unity at Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women, New York City, Aug. 27.

Yom Kippur: Finding hope in times of uncertainty

By NECHAMA GOLDMAN BARASH