The Yom Kippur Holiday
Yom Kippur may be the most reverently observed holiday in Judaism. The day is marked with fasting and abject prayer for forgiveness. In Jerusalem, the epicenter of Judaism, the atmosphere is at once hushed and expectant: at this moment in time, all the events of the year will be determined
In Jerusalem, the observance of Yom Kippur transcends the religious world. All stores are closed, and driving is prohibited. The ensuing quiet lends itself to prayer and contemplation.
In contrast, those who do not observe Yom Kippur take advantage of the car-free streets by bicycling everywhere. For secular residents, taking out a bicycle on Yom Kippur is a longstanding tradition.
The holiday begins with today’s afternoon meal, named the “seudah hamafseket.” This is the final meal before the end of the 25 hour fast.
After the meal is concluded, Jews go to synagogue for Kol Nidrei, a prayer that is celebrated for its poetry and significance. Legend has it that the composer of the prayer met a tragic end, which lends Kol Nidrei special poignancy.
The next day, prayers continue from morning until nightfall, with only a short break at midday.
Before and during Yom Kippur, Jews wish one another a “gmar chatima tova”—which is a way of wishing one another a good destiny for the coming year. This stems from the belief that on Yom Kippur, God seals the destinies of all people and nations in the world.
The intensity of prayer on Yom Kippur is therefore viewed as a gift to the people: it’s a valuable opportunity to change their fates for the good.
2000+ tips and recommendations
Alright, we'll be the first to admit it. Jerusalem's often chilly and often damp winters don't exactly exude...
In a region known for being one of the first in which early humans settled after leaving Africa, and in a city populated...
Looking for a place to begin your morning in luxury and style? Look no further than the American Colony Hotel, which offers...
Jerusalem, the city where kings ruled and sultans sat is no stranger to luxury. Today, even the visiting yeoman can find...
Jewish tradition holds that in the times of the First and Second Temples, all the Jewish people would gather in Jerusalem...
Technically, it's possible to visit Jerusalem without going to the Old City, but it would be hard to say you'd...
Looking for a place to begin your morning in luxury and style? Look no further than the American Colony Hotel, which offers...
The faithful may rhapsodize about the spiritual highs to be reached in the Old City; culture cognoscenti groove on the...
Once upon a time, options for eating out in Jerusalem were limited to local common phenomena such as falafel and schwarma,...
No results to show
|
Text text text
|
||
