ב"ה
Yom Kippur
Video & Audio
Defiance at the Western Wall
Eyewitnesses share their stories of how Jews valiantly resisted the British ban on sounding the shofar at the Western Wall from 1930-1948.
Eyewitnesses share their stories of how Jews valiantly resisted the British ban on sounding the shofar at the Western Wall from 1930-1948.
Being Called to the Torah
A clear explanation of the Torah Reading service in synagogue, how it works, and getting called up to the Torah for an aliyah.
A clear explanation of the Torah Reading service in synagogue, how it works, and getting called up to the Torah for an aliyah.
Yizkor
Yizkor, the memorial prayer for the departed, is observed on specific holidays for the souls of those who passed on.
Yizkor, the memorial prayer for the departed, is observed on specific holidays for the souls of those who passed on.
Plays Well With Others - Lesson 4
Why being on good terms with other people is a prerequisite to being on good terms with G-d.
Why being on good terms with other people is a prerequisite to being on good terms with G-d.
Are You Talking to Me? - Lesson 5
Intimacy with G-d reveals personal meaning in the ups and downs of life.
Intimacy with G-d reveals personal meaning in the ups and downs of life.
Holidays
Yom Kippur 2026
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when we fast, pray, seek forgiveness from G-d and our fellows, and come closer to G-d. It is the peak of the High Holidays.
Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, when we fast, pray, seek forgiveness from G-d and our fellows, and come closer to G-d. It is the peak of the High Holidays.
Global High Holiday Services Directory
Celebrate the High Holidays among friends and connect with your inner self. From Alabama to Wisconsin, Abidjan to Zurich, join us and find your local High Holiday home.
Celebrate the High Holidays among friends and connect with your inner self. From Alabama to Wisconsin, Abidjan to Zurich, join us and find your local High Holiday home.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
The Day Before Yom Kippur: An Overview of Observances
A concise overview of the observances of the eve of Yom Kippur, along with links leading to more detailed guides.
A concise overview of the observances of the eve of Yom Kippur, along with links leading to more detailed guides.
Why Ask for Lekach (Honey Cake) Before Yom Kippur?
It is customary to ask for and receive "lekach" (sweet cake -- signifying a sweet year) from someone (usually one's mentor or parent) on the day before Yom Kippur.
It is customary to ask for and receive "lekach" (sweet cake -- signifying a sweet year) from someone (usually one's mentor or parent) on the day before Yom Kippur.
Jewish Fast Days
The Jewish calendar contains several fast days, most of them commemorating various landmark events that revolve around the destruction of the Holy Temples. Learn how these days are observed.
The Jewish calendar contains several fast days, most of them commemorating various landmark events that revolve around the destruction of the Holy Temples. Learn how these days are observed.
Chassidic Thought
Day One
How can we possibly imagine that in the conglomerate of cells, organs and limbs we call our "body", extending across the hills and valleys of the terrain we call "time", there resides a single and singular "I"?
How can we possibly imagine that in the conglomerate of cells, organs and limbs we call our "body", extending across the hills and valleys of the terrain we call "time", there resides a single and singular "I"?
Forgiveness Begins at Home
As hard as forgiveness can be between acquaintances, it's still child's play compared to the guts and humility it takes to drive the two-way street between ourselves and those closest to us.
As hard as forgiveness can be between acquaintances, it's still child's play compared to the guts and humility it takes to drive the two-way street between ourselves and those closest to us.
Do I Need to Be Perfect in Order to Repent?
Simply put—you want to fix what you broke? The first step is to get “tamim.” But what does “tamim” mean?
Simply put—you want to fix what you broke? The first step is to get “tamim.” But what does “tamim” mean?
The Ultimate Yom Kippur Jew
What motivates these people to come to synagogue on Yom Kippur? If they believe in G‑d and seek atonement, if their Judaism is meaningful to them, where are they the rest of the year?
What motivates these people to come to synagogue on Yom Kippur? If they believe in G‑d and seek atonement, if their Judaism is meaningful to them, where are they the rest of the year?
The Story of Your Life
You are Jonah. The real you, for “Jonah”—in Kabbalistic parlance—is another name for the soul. Hence, the story of Jonah is the story of a soul’s journey here on earth.
You are Jonah. The real you, for “Jonah”—in Kabbalistic parlance—is another name for the soul. Hence, the story of Jonah is the story of a soul’s journey here on earth.
Is This a Sign or a Test?
There’s something clearly pointing me in a specific direction. How do I know if it’s a sign from G‑d saying “This is what I want you to do”—or a test to see whether I can withstand the pressure?
There’s something clearly pointing me in a specific direction. How do I know if it’s a sign from G‑d saying “This is what I want you to do”—or a test to see whether I can withstand the pressure?
Jewish Stories
Israel on the Brink of War
As millions prayed in synagogues, the Egyptian and Syrian armies surprised the Israelis with attacks on two fronts. But one person in Brooklyn was preparing for months already...
As millions prayed in synagogues, the Egyptian and Syrian armies surprised the Israelis with attacks on two fronts. But one person in Brooklyn was preparing for months already...
Can You Spare a Child?
One day Feivel hesitantly approached his brother with a proposition: "Perhaps you would consider giving us one of your children to raise in our home and to treat as our own?"
One day Feivel hesitantly approached his brother with a proposition: "Perhaps you would consider giving us one of your children to raise in our home and to treat as our own?"
The Cantonists' Minyan
The few who survived were so emotionally and psychologically destroyed that they were never able to live normal lives. They lived together in little villages, apart from the rest of the world
The few who survived were so emotionally and psychologically destroyed that they were never able to live normal lives. They lived together in little villages, apart from the rest of the world
My Father’s Machzor
In 1951 my father, Rabbi Moshe Greenberg, was twenty years old and a prisoner in a Soviet labor camp in Siberia. That Yom Kippur, he faithfully prayed all the day’s prayers. All, that is, except for Kol Nidrei.
In 1951 my father, Rabbi Moshe Greenberg, was twenty years old and a prisoner in a Soviet labor camp in Siberia. That Yom Kippur, he faithfully prayed all the day’s prayers. All, that is, except for Kol Nidrei.
The Rabbi and the Thief
From a group of skilled pickpockets in a Soviet Gulag, Reb Mendel Futerfas learned a powerful lesson in self-examination.
From a group of skilled pickpockets in a Soviet Gulag, Reb Mendel Futerfas learned a powerful lesson in self-examination.
The Shofar and the Wall
Could we possibly forgo the sounding of the shofar, which symbolizes the redemption of Israel? For me, it was unthinkable...
Could we possibly forgo the sounding of the shofar, which symbolizes the redemption of Israel? For me, it was unthinkable...
Torah Readings & Services
Yom Kippur Readings
On Yom Kippur the Kohen Gadol would enter the innermost chamber of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to offer ketoret to G-d. Also in the Yom Kippur Torah Readings: The Physicality of fasting, the dynamics of sin and repentance...
On Yom Kippur the Kohen Gadol would enter the innermost chamber of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to offer ketoret to G-d. Also in the Yom Kippur Torah Readings: The Physicality of fasting, the dynamics of sin and repentance...
The Yom Kippur Services
A brief primer leading you through the most famous Yom Kippur texts and liturgies.
A brief primer leading you through the most famous Yom Kippur texts and liturgies.
The Jewish Woman
The Fifth Dimension
Yom Kippur holds within it the very essence of the universe and of who we are. It brings together space, time and soul in one indivisible point that paradoxically contains every detail of existence. Yom Kippur is the “fifth dimension”...
Yom Kippur holds within it the very essence of the universe and of who we are. It brings together space, time and soul in one indivisible point that paradoxically contains every detail of existence. Yom Kippur is the “fifth dimension”...
Top Ten Fasting Tips for the Pregnant Woman
There is only one reason why any healthcare professional or rabbinic authority would endorse a pregnant woman to go without food or drink for any length of time throughout her pregnancy: because G‑d said so.
There is only one reason why any healthcare professional or rabbinic authority would endorse a pregnant woman to go without food or drink for any length of time throughout her pregnancy: because G‑d said so.
Tips for an Easier Fast
Although the Jewish year is filled with wonderful holidays in abundance several times a year—six, to be precise—we fast. Some people find fasting quite arduous, so there are some pointers that can help ease the fast-related hunger pangs.
Although the Jewish year is filled with wonderful holidays in abundance several times a year—six, to be precise—we fast. Some people find fasting quite arduous, so there are some pointers that can help ease the fast-related hunger pangs.
Living
Jews in Jail
Schapiro described many inmates who grew up in secular homes, or didn't know they were Jewish until late in life. Their first contact with Judaism came when they were locked up, and they longed to know more about their religion...
Schapiro described many inmates who grew up in secular homes, or didn't know they were Jewish until late in life. Their first contact with Judaism came when they were locked up, and they longed to know more about their religion...
Speaking to Kids About Yom Kippur
Jewish educators offer advice on making the Day of Atonement meaningful to children.
Jewish educators offer advice on making the Day of Atonement meaningful to children.
History
Gedaliah
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, had completely subdued the Kingdom of Judah and destroyed its capital, Jerusalem, and its most sacred shrine, the Holy Temple. He permitted the poorer classes to remain in Judah, and appointed Gedaliah as their governor.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, had completely subdued the Kingdom of Judah and destroyed its capital, Jerusalem, and its most sacred shrine, the Holy Temple. He permitted the poorer classes to remain in Judah, and appointed Gedaliah as their governor.
A Biography of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson
This concise biography of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, gives a glimpse of her remarkable legacy. The Rebbetzin’s story is told through fascinating text, historic pictures, and handwritten letters...
This concise biography of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, mother of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, gives a glimpse of her remarkable legacy. The Rebbetzin’s story is told through fascinating text, historic pictures, and handwritten letters...
[A very high] level of charity is to give to the poor without knowing to whom one gives, and without the recipient knowing from whom he received. For this is performing a mitzvah solely for the sake of Heaven.
— Mishneh Torah, Laws of Charity, 10:8
Print Magazine
We are one because we share a single soul, like a single, brilliant sun shining into many bodies. Since the soul is what counts, that makes us essentially one.
That is the meaning of the mitzvah of the Sukkah—a place that encompasses us all equally, rendering us a single whole.
We are also one because none of us are ali...
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