When is Yom Kippur 2025?

Yom Kippur, “the day of atonement,” is the day Moses achieved complete forgiveness for the People of Israel after the Sin of the Golden Calf.

In 2025 it begins before sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and ends the following evening, Thursday, Oct. 2, after night has fallen.

Calculate 2025 Fast Times for Your Area

What supplies are needed in advance?

  • Yom Kippur prayers are found in a special book known as a Machzor (visit your local Judaica store or click here to purchase a Machzor)
  • Candles, both ordinary Shabbat-style candles, as 24-hour (“yahrtzeit”) candles (available at your local grocery or online here)
  • On Yom Kippur we wear non-leather footwear such as canvas sneakers, slippers, etc.
  • Some men wear a white robe known as a Kittel (click here to purchase a Kittel)
  • Tasty and nourishing food for your pre- and post-fast feasts
  • If you have small children at home, snacks and activities to keep them busy

What do we do the day before?

The day before Yom Kippur is known as Erev Yom Kippur and it is one of the busiest days of the year. Here are some elements to remember:

Read an Overview of the Day’s Observances

When is Kapparot performed?

Kapparot may be done any time during the Ten Days of Repentance (i.e. between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), but the ideal time is during the pre-dawn hours on the day preceding Yom Kippur, for a "thread of Divine kindness" prevails during those hours.

Learn More About Kapparot

When and how does the fast start?

after we’ve already prayed the Afternoon Service and confessed our sins, we eat a meal, called Seuda Hamafeket (“Separating Meal”) in time to finish before candle-lighting. This must be done before candle-lighting time. We eat “lighter” protein such as chicken and drink lots of fluids! Once we’ve concluded this meal and said Grace After Meals, the fast begins.

When to light candles?

Candles are lit some time (typically 18 minutes) before sundown, before the onset of the fast on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. It is also customary to light long-lasting candles that will burn for the duration of Yom Kippur. These should be lit before the holiday candles.

Calculate the Candle Lighting Time Your Area

What blessings are said when lighting candles?

The following two blessings are said after the candles have been lit:

  • 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 Yom Kippur light.
    Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, Who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
  • בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים
    בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִיעָנוּ לִזְמַן הַזֶּה
  • Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm ah-sher ki-deh-shah-noo beh-mitz-voh-tahv veh-tzee-vah-noo leh-hahd-lik nehr shel yohm hah-ki-poo-rim
    Bah-rookh ah-tah ah-doh-noi eh-loh-hay-noo meh-lekh hah-oh-lahm sheh-heh-kheh-yah-noo veh-kee-mah-noo ve-hih-gee-ah-noo liz-mahn hah-zeh

Which activities should be avoided on Yom Kippur?

On Yom Kippur, we practice five afflictions: No eating or drinking, no bathing, no applying lotions, no wearing leather shoes, and no conjugal relations. In addition, just like on Shabbat, we do not do any of the 39 forbidden categories of “work” and their rabbnic extensions and applications—including cooking, driving and using most technology.

Read How to Celebrate Yom Kippur

What are the high points of the service?

Yom Kippur prayers begin the afternoon before Yom Kippur (Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025) and extend until nightfall the following night. There are five full prayer services, each of which contains Viduy, confession of sins. Here are some high points:

Read Our Guide to the Yom Kippur Services

When is shofar-blowing and the end of the fast?

The shofar is sounded during the final bit of the Ne’ilah prayer, right around when night has fallen and the fast has concluded on Thursday night, October 2, 2025. However, the shofar blast does not end the fast, so check the clock to be safe, and remember to wash your hands and perform (or hear) Havdalah before eating.

Read Why We Blow Shofar

Calculate the End of the Fast in Your Area

What are classic break-fast foods?

It is customary to enjoy a festive, candle-lit meal after the fast. Beyond challah bread (dipped in honey), you can get creative. Some like to rewarm leftovers from the pre-fast feasts (including chicken soup with kreplach), while others prefer lox and bagels. Remember that mixing meat and dairy is not kosher. So if you start with chicken soup, no switching to bagels and cream cheese or coffee with milk.