Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day of 2025, begins at sundown on Wednesday

Torah scrolls at a San Diego synagogue File photo by Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego The solemn Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur in begins at sundown on Wednesday Oct with San Diego-area congregations holding Kol Nidre services Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement in Hebrew It is a time of fasting prayer and repentance marking the end of the annual -day high holy days period beginning with Rosh Hashanah the start of a new year Observance begins at sundown because the ancient Jewish calendar is based on phases of the moon Kol Nidre or all vows is the name of the opening prayer In various congregations the prayer is accompanied by performance of a plaintive melody usually played on a cello Yom Kippur prayers atone for sins against God but not for sins against people For those sins according to Jewish law one has to ask the individuals who were hurt for forgiveness A multitude of Jews fast over the -hour period of Yom Kippur and then attend a celebratory feast Yom Kippur ends with a single long blast of the shofar an ancient musical instrument made from a ram s horn The high holy days come amid increased measure at several synagogues because of concerns about rising antisemitism in the United States