Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, occurs on the 10th day of the month of Tishri. It is the final day of the ten Days of Awe (or the ten Days of Repentance) and is the holiest day of the Jewish year.

It is a day of fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. It is a day of complete fast, you eat and drink nothing for more than 24 hours. During this day Israel is at a stand still. There are practically no cars on the roads and streets and Israeli radio and TV don’t air any shows.

The day is set aside for synagogue services and atonement, and you seek reconciliation with people you may have hurt during the year and you try to forgive them who have done something to you. The day ends at nightfall after the 25 hour long fast, with the blowing of the tekiah gedolah, a long blast on the shofar.