Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement

According to the Jewish tradition and also as it is mentioned in the Bible, this is the Holiest Day of the year. Jews usually fast and pray all day to be granted atonement for all the sins between them and God. Yom Kippur does not grant atonement for any conflict between you and your neighbours, family, friends, colleagues – for these you need to go and ask for forgiveness.

Israel is unique in that that it is the only country that literally closes for 26 hours: from just before sunset to just after sunset. That means that nothing moves: no traffic on the streets, no television, no radio, no shops nor businesses are open during this day. Only emergency services and hospitals continue to operate during this day.

The feeling of holiness is all around. There is silence on the streets, people are dressed in white as they go to the synagogues and bless each other: “Gmar Hatima Tova” which means, literally: a good final sealing & idiomatically: may you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for good.

Visiting Israel during this period (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot – feast of the Tabernacle) is a rare and truly a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend.

Enjoy the video.