Breaking the Fast: This is another festive End and meal, one that, while often simple, can feel A Guide to particularly meaningful. Beginning It is appropriate to begin with HaMotzi, the blessing over bread: Yom Yahrzeit: A candle called the yahrzeit candle is lit before the holy day in memory of parents and others who are recalled during the yizkor Kippur (memorial) service. Final Meal: The meal taken before Yom Kippur JWB Jewish should be substantial and a joyful experience. Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Chaplains Council This is considered as much of an obligation as Haolam, Ha-Motzi lechem min ha-aretz. a program of fasting on the day itself. Challot baked for the pre-Yom Kippur meal are sometimes shaped like Blessed are You, Our Eternal God, Ruler of the winged birds, symbolizing human hope to reach Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. the level of angels. Stephen P. Seiden Since this meal marks a new phase in life, it is also Chair In helping one prepare for the worship service possible to recite an additional blessing: Dr. Stephen Hazan Arnoff that follows, the Talmud declares: “Yom Kippur President & CEO effects atonement for one’s transgressions Donald W. Brodsky against God; but it effects atonement for one’s Chair, Services to Jewish Military Personnel transgressions against other human beings only David E. Posner if the offended has first been appeased. Vice President for JWB Military Services JWB Jewish Chaplains Council The Neilah (concluding service) speaks of the Rabbi Frank Waldorf gates of heaven closing at the approaching end Chair of the sacred day, and urges the worshipper on Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Rabbi Harold L. Robinson to a final effort to win forgiveness. Haolam, she-he-che-yanu, ve-ki-ye-manu, Director ve-hi-gi-yanu laz-man ha-zeh. With a long, loud, piercing blast of the shofar, 520 Eighth Avenue, 4th Floor New York, NY 10018 the heavenly gates close and Yom Kippur Blessed are You, Our Eternal God, Ruler of the ends. That evening marks the start of the Universe, Who has given us life, sustained us, and building of the sukkah, or booth, for the enabled us to reach this season. Connect with Us festival of Sukkot—as a reaffirmation of For more information contact the continuity of the Jewish year. A meal begun with HaMotzi should be concluded [email protected] or visit jcca.org/jwb with Birkat Hamazon, the Grace after Meals. JWB Jewish There is a short form of this blessing in the Chaplains Council Prayer Book for Jewish Personnel in the Armed Forces of the United States on pages 423-425. © 2011-2015 JWB Jewish Chaplains Council Shofar Through this process, Jews feel closer to God and become more acutely aware of an Conscience and The True Fast enduring linkage to the entire Jewish people, developing a heightened sense of responsibility The fast on Yom Kippur is not carried out for helping to fashion a world in which the Confession for its own sake. In the words of Isaiah (58, 5-7), it goes beyond the bowed head, prophetic vision of peace and justice may be The evening service ushering in Yom Kippur sackcloth and ashes: fulfilled for all of humanity. begins with “Kol Nidre.” This hauntingly beautiful prayer is repeated three times to set “…the fast that I have chosen (is) to the awesome mood and to strive for a clear loose the fetters of wickedness, to Repentance, conscience as this Day of Awe begins. undo the bonds of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free…Is it not The Viddui, or confession of sins, is recited during to deal your bread to the hungry, and each of the five services on Yom Kippur. It is Reconciliation, that you bring the poor that are cast expressed in the plural: “For the sins which we out to your house? When you see the have committed…” This signifies that each of us naked, that you cover him…?” Regeneration is a part of a community, responsible not only for The spiritual learning experience at the heart personal shortcomings, but for the wrongs of “Then shall your light break forth as of Yom Kippur can be expressed in “three R’s,” society as well. the morning, and… the glory of God repentance, reconciliation and regeneration. shall be your reward.” During the Mincha, or afternoon service, the Repentance requires turning from past mistakes, Book of Jonah is read. Jonah’s futile flight from Tzedakah: It is particularly important to admitting errors privately and publicly, expressing God mirrors our duty and responsibility to our give tzedakah before Yom Kippur. While this sincere regret, and resolving not to repeat the sin. fellow men. We may atone on Yom Kippur, word is normally translated as “charity,” it however, only for the wrongs committed against has the connotation in Hebrew of the giving Reconciliation means seeking out those we have God. Atonement for wrongs against fellow that God requires of us to make the world Days of Days offended and winning their forgiveness. human beings can only be achieved by making more just. amends and obtaining forgiveness from the Yom Kippur was known in ancient times as “The Regeneration is the aim of the full day of self- injured person. This is a direct response to God’s command, Great Day” or simply “The Day.” It is the most denial and prayer: heightened sensitivity to what “…and you shall bring an offering…” awesome of the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe), is wrong with society and determination to help (Leviticus 23.:27), which obligates us to give the Day of Atonement, when individual fates are conquer such ills as poverty and disease. charity and do kind acts. An essential message sealed, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A common greeting on Yom Kippur is “G’mar of Yom Kippur is that tzedakah, along with tefillah (prayer), and teshuvah (repentance), The intensive process of self-examination chatimah tovah” – May you receive a final can prevent the severest judgment. begun 10 days earlier on Rosh Hashanah, the sealed for good – a wish for good tidings for New Year, culminates in a full day of fasting, the year ahead. worship, study, confession and prayer..