What Is Yom Kippur? The Day of Atonement Explained
What is Yom Kippur? The Jewish Day of Atonement: the 25-hour fast, who's exempt, Kol Nidre, and what to say. Begins at sunset on September 20, 2026.
Of everything on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur is the one day most Jews, even non-observant ones, tend to mark in some way. It’s not a party and it’s not a gift occasion; it’s a full day of fasting, reflection, and some of the year’s longest synagogue services.
What is Yom Kippur, exactly?
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, falling on the 10th of Tishrei, ten days after Rosh Hashanah, at the close of the Days of Awe. In 2026 it begins at sunset on September 20 and ends at nightfall on September 21, a fast of roughly 25 hours. It’s a day devoted entirely to repentance and atonement, closing out the period tradition describes as when a person’s fate for the coming year is sealed.
What does the Yom Kippur fast actually involve?
A full 25-hour fast from both food and water, along with four other traditional restrictions: no bathing or washing for pleasure, no applying lotions or oils, no wearing leather shoes, and no marital relations. The leather shoe custom in particular surprises people, it dates back to when leather shoes were the comfortable, expensive option, and going without them was a small daily act of humility; many people wear canvas sneakers or cloth shoes instead, even with formal synagogue clothing.
Who is exempt from fasting?
Jewish law prioritizes health and life above the fast itself, so the exemption list is genuinely broad, not a loophole:
| Group | Fasting status |
|---|---|
| Children under bar/bat mitzvah age | Not required to fast |
| Pregnant or nursing women | Often exempt, case by case |
| People who are ill | Exempt, especially if fasting risks health |
| Elderly or frail individuals | Exempt if fasting poses real risk |
| Healthy adults | Expected to fast |
When there’s real doubt about whether fasting is medically safe, Jewish law explicitly instructs deferring to a doctor and eating rather than risking harm.
How should I prepare if I’m fasting for the first time?
Eat a substantial, low-salt meal before the fast begins and drink plenty of water in the hours leading up to sunset, salty and heavily caffeinated foods tend to make the fast harder, not easier. Headaches are common in the first-time-faster’s afternoon; that’s normal and not a sign anything’s wrong, though anyone with a real medical concern should check with a doctor beforehand rather than push through it, in keeping with the exemptions above.
What is Kol Nidre?
Kol Nidre is the opening prayer and service of Yom Kippur, recited at sunset as the fast begins, and it’s arguably the most recognizable piece of music in the Jewish liturgical calendar. Its text is a formal legal declaration nullifying vows made rashly or under duress over the coming year, but its emotional weight comes less from the legal content than from the setting: a packed, hushed sanctuary, the day’s holiest moment, opening with a haunting, centuries-old melody.
What happens at the end of the fast?
Services run through the day and conclude with Neilah, the closing service, timed to end right as the fast does at nightfall, often marked by one final, extended blast of the shofar. Families and friends then gather for a break-fast meal, an American Ashkenazi tradition built around foods that are easy on an empty stomach: bagels, lox, cream cheese, and noodle kugel are the classic spread, alongside coffee and juice for anyone who needs it immediately.
What should I say to someone observing Yom Kippur?
“Have an easy fast” is the standard, low-key English greeting, appropriate before the holiday begins or in a text the morning of. The traditional Hebrew phrase is “g’mar chatima tova,” meaning “may you be sealed for good,” a direct continuation of the Rosh Hashanah greeting about being inscribed for a good year. Either works; neither requires you to be Jewish to say sincerely, and both land better than a generic “happy holiday,” which misreads the tone of the day entirely.
What if I’m not fasting but I’m invited to break-fast anyway?
That’s common and completely fine. Break-fast gatherings often include family and friends who didn’t fast themselves, whether for health reasons or because they’re not Jewish, and no one is expected to explain or justify their status at the table. Showing up hungry alongside everyone else who just finished a 25-hour fast is, if anything, the more awkward option, so eat beforehand if you’d like and just enjoy the company.
Should I bring a gift?
Not on the day itself, gift-giving has no place in the tone of Yom Kippur, and even a thoughtful present would land oddly against a day centered on fasting and reflection. If you’re invited to a break-fast meal afterward, that’s a different story: a contribution to the meal, a dozen bagels, a babka, a fruit platter, is genuinely appreciated and fits the occasion far better than a wrapped gift would. Our general synagogue etiquette guide covers dress and service behavior if it’s your first Yom Kippur service as a guest, and the dietary details behind the break-fast spread are covered in what is kosher.
After the fast ends
Yom Kippur closes out the Days of Awe that opened with Rosh Hashanah, and the calendar doesn’t slow down much afterward, Sukkot begins just five days later. Our Jewish holidays hub maps the full sequence with dates, so the next one doesn’t sneak up on you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what guests ask us most
What do you say to someone before Yom Kippur?
"Have an easy fast" is the standard casual English greeting. The traditional Hebrew phrase, "g'mar chatima tova," means "may you be sealed for good," continuing the Rosh Hashanah image of being written into the book of life.
Who doesn't have to fast on Yom Kippur?
Children under bar or bat mitzvah age, people who are ill, pregnant or nursing women in many cases, and anyone whose health would be genuinely endangered by fasting are exempt under Jewish law, which treats preserving health and life as a higher priority than fasting. When in doubt, Jewish law defers to a doctor's guidance.
Is it okay to give someone a gift on Yom Kippur?
No, skip it. Yom Kippur is a solemn fast day, not a gift-giving occasion, and even a well-meaning present would be out of step with the tone of the day. Save any gesture for the break-fast meal afterward, where a food contribution is genuinely welcome.
Why do some people wear white on Yom Kippur?
White clothing symbolizes purity and a fresh start, and some observant men wear a kittel, a plain white robe also worn at weddings and used for burial, tying together the day's themes of humility and mortality. It's a custom, not a rule, so dress ranges widely across congregations.