Yom Kippur Customs and Traditions Explained 

People praying for forgivness (Selichot), at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, early on September 21, 2023, before the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, the most important day in the Jewish calendar. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90 2023

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, closes out the High Holy Days. Falling ten days after Rosh Hashanah, it is one of the more solemn days on the Jewish calendar. The central theme of Yom Kippur is teshuvah, Hebrew for “repentance.” While Yom Kippur is not a celebratory holiday, it is one with deep customs and traditions. Such Yom Kippur traditions as fasting are well-known, but what does the fast represent and why is it so important? The following is an in-depth look at Yom Kippur’s customs, which draw God’s people closer to Him. 

Ending the Days of Awe with Yom Kippur 

All Yom Kippur customs and traditions are based on the biblical teaching that the 10th day of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar is the last chance to repent before God. Tradition teaches that God writes each of our fates for the new year on Rosh Hashanah in the Book of Life and then seals it on Yom Kippur, ten days later. During the Days of Awe (the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), God invites His people to pray, confess, and seek forgiveness before the Book of Life is sealed. Jewish people come closer to God through spiritual and physical purity with customs like fasting, dressing, and prayer. 

Download our Yom Kippur Bible Study.

Yom Kippur Customs Begin: Erev Yom Kippur 

Erev means “eve” in Hebrew. Like Christmas Eve, Erev Yom Kippur is a day of preparation with a big dinner before Jews begin their 25-hour fast. There are no certain dishes for these meals, so many people make their favorites. It’s also during this time that any good deeds like giving charity are done and forgiveness for any misdeeds from the past year is asked for –not from God, but from those who’d been wronged. One custom for Erev Yom Kippur is going around the table and each person apologizes to their loved ones. Candles are also lit in a similar manner as they are during Shabbat. 

Rules for Yom Kippur Fasting

No food or drink is consumed for the 25-hour period, including water. Because of this, many Jews don’t eat salty food for their pre-fast meal, as salt can increase thirst. Yom Kippur fast rules also prohibit:

  • Bathing – Specifically, taking baths or showers to relax rather than to clean something off but some Jewish communities include all instances. 
  • Makeup and ointments – Any product used for cosmetic reasons is not allowed as Jews are meant to appear naturally during this time. 
  • Leather shoes – Footwear made of leather is an ancient symbol of higher status, which would be distasteful to wear when asking for humble forgiveness. 
  • Marital relations – The Yom Kippur custom of teshuvah involves abstaining from all earthly pleasures as Jews return to God for a day. 

A fun Yom Kippur custom is wishing Jews “tzom kal,” Hebrew for “have an easy fast.” 

Yom Kippur Prayer Services 

A custom of any Jewish holiday is the prayer services at synagogue, and Yom Kippur has the most out of any of them. They also begin on Erev Yom Kippur, just after the pre-fast meal is completed. The services are full of prayers unique to Yom Kippur from the Machzor, a special prayer book used during the High Holy Days. These services are:

  • Kol Nidrei – Meaning “all vows,” this service is held the night before Yom Kippur, acting as a declaration rather than prayer. It’s delivered in the form of vows made for the new year with the somber acknowledgment that some may go unfulfilled. 
  • Yizkor – A full day of services awaits the next day with Torah readings, confessional prayers, and the Yizkor, a memorial service dedicated to those who have died in the past year. The morning service is called shacharit and the evening’s is called mincha. Musaf, meaning “additional,” comes between them. 
  • Ne’ilah – The last service of Yom Kippur which means “closing” ends with a long blast from the shofar. This is the last chance to pray for repentance before God. The shofar also represents the ending of the fast which leads to the beloved tradition of the break-the-fast meal. 

Wearing White on Yom Kippur 

While the rules of Yom Kippur don’t lay out a strict dress code beyond prohibiting leather shoes, a lot of Jews wear white—symbolizing purity. Other Yom Kippur traditions say that it represents a blank slate for reflection, or as way for all of God’s people to stand as equals before Him. White burial shrouds called kittel are also worn by some communities. Even nonreligious Jews may wear a white t-shirt on Yom Kippur. 

Charity on Yom Kippur 

Another Yom Kippur custom is tzedakah, giving to those in need. This is a direct balance to the atonement of teshuvah as a way to right a past wrong with an act of kindness in the present. Many Jews increase their giving around Erev Yom Kippur as a result. This is also a way for non-Jews to get involved in Yom Kippur traditions. 

Rules of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur seems like one of the strictest Jewish holidays with all the rules it has. However, rules can be a strong word to describe them since it’s not about following them but how well we can honor them, and in doing so honoring God. What seem like guidelines are actually rich, deep traditions and customs that reflect atonement and refreshing to start again. 

Learn more about Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur prayers and teaching with this downloadable booklet.