Yom Kippur: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Yom Kippur (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Yom Kippur is observed on October 5th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Yom Kippur, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as captivating facts you may want to know about Yom Kippur.

📅 What day is Yom Kippur 2024?

In 2024, Yom Kippur is on Thursday, October 5th. It is the 1st Thursday in October; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the cool details and facts about October 5, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Yom Kippur, also called the Day of Atonement, is the most sacred day in Judaism. It lasts approximately 25 hours and is typically commemorated through fasting and prayer, as a way to seek forgiveness and repentance. Those who observe Yom Kippur are expected to abstain from eating, drinking, bathing, and engaging in marital relations. As a result, individuals are encouraged to spend the day seeking forgiveness from God and engaging in acts of charity.

📜 Yom Kippur History

Yom Kippur is believed to have started around the time of Moses. After receiving the Ten Commandments from God, Moses found that the Israelites had begun idolizing a golden calf. Angry, he broke the commandments and went back up the mountain to seek forgiveness for himself and his people. He returned with a new set of commandments and God’s pardon.

Yom Kippur marks the end of the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It is believed that during this time, a person can influence God’s judgment for the upcoming year. According to the Mishnah, which is the Jewish code of conduct, God writes names in three books on Rosh Hashanah: one for the righteous, one for wrongdoers, and one for those in between.

By engaging in acts of prayer, generosity, and repentance during the Days of Awe, individuals can change their status in the book before Yom Kippur. The holiday starts at sunset and ends at sunset the next day. Fasting, refraining from sexual activity, avoiding certain personal care practices, and visiting the synagogue are all ways to seek forgiveness for sins. However, not all Jews observe every aspect of Yom Kippur.

✅ Yom Kippur Facts

🔖 Yom Kippur is the most bike-friendly day in Israel
Cyclists of any age are allowed to ride on streets, including major highways, due to the usually clean conditions of the roads.

🔖 Eating a big meal before fasting will make it harder
Dr. Tzvi Dwolatzky from Israel’s Rambam Health Care Campus explains that although it is common to have a large lunch before Yom Kippur, consuming extra food will not help to prolong the fasting period.

🔖 The word ‘scapegoat’ is from an ancient Yom Kippur ritual
During Yom Kippur, as described in Leviticus 16:8 in the Acharei Mot section of the Torah, the High Priest was instructed to place his hands on a goat and admit the sins of the entire community. Afterwards, the goat was pushed off a cliff.

👍 Why Is Yom Kippur Important

It’s easy to forget to set aside time for personal development, but Yom Kippur forces you to dedicate the day to becoming a better version of yourself.
When we evaluate how our behaviors affect the people closest to us, the promise of improved treatment strengthens those relationships.
It’s easy to let what surrounds us absorb our daily lives, whether it’s work, cellphones, or shopping. It is necessary to take a step back and move away from our vices every now and again.

🙂 How To Observe Yom Kippur

⚡ Don’t work
Yom Kippur, as mentioned in Leviticus, is a day dedicated to rest. Who wouldn’t appreciate having a day off?

⚡ Attend synagogue
The synagogue is an ideal setting for profound prayer as it serves as a space where individuals reflect upon their past year’s errors and seek forgiveness.

⚡ Donate to charity
Donating either our time or money not only brings happiness to those in need, but it also brings us a sense of joy and empathy.

📅 When is Yom Kippur?

Discover all 🔗 October holidays, including 🔗 Religious and other 🔗 Jewish holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Yom Kippur. So be sure to check back soon.