What follows is a how-to guide to the basics of Yom Kippur observance. For a more in-depth guide of Yom Kippur click here.
Click here for a listing of Yom Kippur's corresponding secular date for the upcoming years.
Preparing For Yom Kippur
On Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Kaparot
The Kaparot (atonement) service is performed early morning with a live chicken (or alternatively with money) which is then donated to charity.
Click here for more about Kaparot.
Take Honey Cake
It is customary to ask for and receive lekach (sweet cake -- signifying a sweet year) from someone (usually one's mentor or parent) on this day. One of the reasons given for this custom is that if it had been decreed, G-d forbid, that during the year we should need to resort to a handout from others, the decree should be satisfied with this asking for food.
Click here for more about Lekach.
Festive Meal
It is a mitzvah to eat and drink in abundance on the eve of Yom Kippur. Two meals are eaten, one in the morning, and one just prior to the onset of Yom Kippur. One should eat only light foods such as chicken and fish.
In many communities it is customary to eat kreplach on the day before Yom Kippur. Kreplach are small squares of rolled pasta dough filled with ground beef and folded into triangles. They can be boiled and served in soup or fried and served as a side dish. The red beef symbolizes severity, the white dough is an allusion to kindness. In preparation for the Day of Judgement we "cover" the severity with kindness. (Click here for a recipe.)
Click here for more on eating before Yom Kippur.
Mikvah
It is proper to immerse in the mikvah on this day.
Click here for more on immersing in the Mikvah.
Charity
It is customary to give charity generously and liberally on the day before Yom Kippur, for tzedakah is a great source of merit and serves as protection against harsh decrees.
Click here for more on Charity before Yom Kippur.
Afternoon Prayers
During the afternoon prayers, the Al Chet confession prayer is recited before the conclusion of the Amidah prayer. This central Yom Kippur prayer will be later recited
eight times in the course of the holy day.
Click here to find Afternoon Services closest to you.
Eat the Final Meal
Prior to sunset, one should eat the final meal. Again, one should eat only light foods such as chicken and soup. One should not drink intoxicating beverages, and it is also customary not to eat fish at this meal. If you wish to eat after this meal, when reciting the Grace
after Meals have in mind that you will still eat or drink until the onset of the fast.
One should stop eating at candle lighting time. Click here to find out what time this is in your location.
Bless the Children
It is customary to bless one's children after the meal, although there is no required formula for this blessing, it is customary to say:
[for a son:] May G-d make you like Ephraim and Manasseh;
[for a daughter:] May G-d make you like Sarah, Rebbeca, Rachel, and Leah.
Click here to read a special blessing.
Change Your Shoes
On Yom Kippur we do not wear leather footware. Before candle lighting change your shoes to plastic or canvas shoes or slippers.
Click here to read about this and other prohibitions on Yom Kippur.
Light Candles:
Girls and all women that are in the house (or if there isn't a woman in the house, the head of the household), should light candles 18 minutes before sunset - see this link for the exact time - and recite the following blessings:
1) Blessed are You, L-rd, our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to kindle the light of Yom Kippur.
Ba-ruch a-tah ado-nai e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam asher ki-deshanu be-mitzvo-tav ve-tzvi-vanu le-hadlik ner shel Yom HaKipurim.
2) Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
Ba-ruch a-tah ado-nai e-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.
