Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer. Jews attend synagogue services where they recite special liturgy, including the Kol Nidre prayer. No food or drink is consumed, and other physical pleasures are abstained from, symbolizing the cleansing of the soul.
Traditional foods are not consumed during the fast, but meals before and after the fast typically include:
- Light and simple foods such as soup, bread, and fish before the fast.
- After the fast, meals often start with a light snack like tea and cake, followed by a more substantial meal.
For the occasion, people dress in white clothing to symbolize purity and repentance. Many men wear a kittel, a white robe worn on high holidays. Jewelry and luxurious accessories are typically avoided to maintain the solemnity of the day.
The synagogue is often simply adorned, reflecting the day's focus on introspection and atonement. Yom Kippur concludes with the blowing of the shofar, signaling the end of the fast and the start of a new, purified year.
