Did you know that Yom Kippur is a day of “NOT” doing?
There is no blowing of the Shofar and Jews may not eat or drink, as fasting is the rule. It is believed that to fast on Yom Kippur is to emulate the angels in heaven, who do not eat, drink, or wash.
Did you know that while Yom Kippur is devoted to fasting, the day before is devoted to eating?
According to the The Talmud the person “who eats on the ninth of Tishri (and fasts on the tenth) , it is as if he had fasted both the ninth and tenth.” Prayer is also down played so that Jews can concentrate on eating and preparing for the fast.
Yom Kippur ends the 10 day period which began with Rosh Hashanah. Known as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im, it is a time of penitence and prayer. Jews worldwide are given these 10 days to repent for their sins and ask G-d for forgiveness.
Yom Kippur begins at sundown September 27, 2009.