Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day, begins at sunset on October 11, 2024, marking a 25-hour period of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection for Jewish communities worldwide.

Yom Kippur stands as the holiest day of the year in Judaism, marking a profound period of atonement and spiritual reflection. This sacred observance falls on the 10th day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which typically occurs in September or October of the Gregorian calendar.

For Jewish people worldwide, Yom Kippur represents the culmination of the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah. The exact date varies annually due to the differences between the Hebrew lunar calendar and the solar-based Gregorian calendar. In 2024, Yom Kippur will begin at sunset on October 11 and end at nightfall on October 12.

Yom Kippur follows a precise schedule in the Hebrew calendar system, occurring on the 10th day of Tishri. The timing reflects the calendar's unique structure based on lunar cycles synchronized with solar years.

The Hebrew calendar operates on a lunisolar system combining lunar months with solar year adjustments. Each month starts with the new moon's appearance, containing either 29 or 30 days. The calendar includes 12 months in regular years and 13 months in leap years, with leap years occurring 7 times in a 19-year cycle. This system maintains alignment between lunar phases and seasonal festivals through the addition of an extra month called Adar II.

Calendar Component	Duration
Regular Year	354 days
Leap Year	384 days
Standard Month	29-30 days
Cycle Length	19 years

Yom Kippur maintains its fixed position as the 10th of Tishri, though its Gregorian calendar date shifts annually. The observance begins at sunset on one day and concludes at nightfall the following day, lasting approximately 25 hours. The holiday falls between September 14 and October 14 on the Gregorian calendar, determined by the lunar cycle calculations. This timing coordinates with other significant Jewish holidays, occurring nine days after Rosh Hashanah and five days before Sukkot.

Recent/Upcoming Years	Gregorian Date
2023	September 24-25
2024	October 11-12
2025	October 1-2

Yom Kippur's historical roots trace back to biblical times as the most sacred day in Judaism. The day centers on atonement between humans and God through fasting, prayer and spiritual reflection.

According to Leviticus 16:29-30, God commanded the Israelites to observe Yom Kippur as a day of atonement. During biblical times, the High Priest performed elaborate rituals in the Temple in Jerusalem, including:

• Sacrificing a bull as a personal sin offering
• Selecting two goats: one sacrificed to God, one sent into the wilderness
• Entering the Holy of Holies chamber to offer incense
• Sprinkling sacrificial blood on the Ark of the Covenant
• Reciting confessions three times using God's sacred name

• Fasting from food and drink for 25 hours
• Attending intensive synagogue services with specific prayers
• Wearing white clothing as a symbol of purity
• Refraining from leather shoes, bathing and intimacy
• Participating in five prayer services:
• Kol Nidre (evening)
• Shacharit (morning)
• Musaf (additional)
• Mincha (afternoon)
• Ne'ilah (closing)

Prayer Service	Timing	Key Elements
Kol Nidre	Evening	Annulment of vows
Shacharit	Morning	Torah reading
Musaf	Late morning	Temple service recounting
Mincha	Afternoon	Book of Jonah reading
Ne'ilah	Sunset	Final chance for repentance

Yom Kippur spans approximately 25 hours from sunset on one day to nightfall the following day. The extended duration ensures complete observance of the day across all time zones.

The fast begins before sunset with the Kol Nidre service on the eve of Yom Kippur. Here's the typical schedule:

• Pre-Fast Meal: Ends 20-30 minutes before sunset
• Candle Lighting: 18 minutes before sunset
• Kol Nidre Service: Begins shortly before sunset
• Main Day Services: Start at dawn the following day
• Concluding Service: Ne'ilah starts approximately 1 hour before nightfall
• Fast Ends: At nightfall with a long shofar blast

• Jerusalem Standard: Sets the baseline timing at 6:13 PM to 7:04 PM
• Global Adjustments: Communities follow their local sunset times
• Polar Regions: Special rabbinical guidelines exist for areas with extreme daylight patterns
• Southern Hemisphere: Same calendar date with reversed seasonal conditions
• Urban Areas: Many synagogues post specific start/end times for their location

Region Example	Typical Start Time	Typical End Time
New York	6:30 PM EDT	7:30 PM EDT
Los Angeles	6:15 PM PDT	7:15 PM PDT
London	6:45 PM BST	7:45 PM BST
Sydney	5:45 PM AEST	6:45 PM AEST

Preparation for Yom Kippur involves specific physical spiritual customs performed before the 25-hour fast begins. These preparations ensure a meaningful observance of the Day of Atonement.

The pre-fast meal (Seudah Mafseket) takes place several hours before sunset on Erev Yom Kippur. Traditional foods include:

• Eating light proteins like chicken or fish to maintain energy
• Consuming complex carbohydrates such as whole grains bread rice
• Avoiding salty spicy foods that increase thirst
• Drinking extra water throughout the day for hydration

Additional preparations include:

• Wearing white clothing symbolizing purity forgiveness
• Giving tzedakah (charitable donations) to worthy causes
• Seeking forgiveness from others for past wrongdoings
• Taking a ritual bath (mikvah) for spiritual cleansing

Breaking the fast requires careful attention to avoid digestive discomfort. The traditional sequence includes:

Initial foods:

• Drinking room temperature water in small sips
• Eating light carbohydrates like challah or crackers
• Having fresh fruit juice for natural sugars

Traditional break-fast foods:

• Bagels with cream cheese smoked fish

• Noodle kugel or other dairy dishes

• Light soups such as vegetable or chicken broth

• Fresh fruits sliced vegetables

• Eating slowly in moderate portions

• Waiting 15-20 minutes between servings

• Avoiding heavy fried foods spicy dishes

• Staying hydrated with water clear fluids

Yom Kippur observance centers on spiritual reflection through specific rituals and practices. The day includes strict fasting requirements paired with intensive prayer services.

Fasting on Yom Kippur prohibits eating food drinking liquids for 25 hours starting at sunset. The fast applies to healthy adults age 13 and older except for:

• Pregnant women experiencing complications
• People with medical conditions requiring food or medication
• Children under 13 years old
• Elderly individuals with health concerns

Additional restrictions include:

• No wearing leather shoes
• No bathing or washing
• No applying lotions or cosmetics
• No marital relations

The five main prayer services during Yom Kippur follow a specific schedule:

Service Name	Timing	Key Elements
Kol Nidre	Evening

Annulment of vows prayer

| Shacharit | Morning | Torah reading confession prayers |

| Musaf | Late morning | Temple service recitation |

| Mincha | Afternoon | Book of Jonah reading |

| Ne'ilah | Sunset | Final prayers closing gates |

Prayer attire includes:

• White clothing symbolizing purity
• Non-leather shoes
• Prayer shawl (tallit)
• Traditional white robe (kittel) for married men

Each service incorporates communal confessions (vidui) recited while standing. Congregants bow during specific prayers including the Aleinu service.

• Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri in the Hebrew calendar, typically falling between September and October in the Gregorian calendar
• The holiday lasts approximately 25 hours, beginning at sunset and ending at nightfall the following day, with 2024's observance starting October 11
• As Judaism's holiest day, Yom Kippur focuses on atonement through fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection, featuring five main prayer services
• Observant Jews abstain from food, drink, leather shoes, bathing, and other physical comforts during the 25-hour period
• Preparation includes a pre-fast meal, wearing white clothing, seeking forgiveness, and giving to charity, while breaking the fast requires careful attention to avoid discomfort

Yom Kippur's date varies each year due to the Hebrew calendar but its significance remains constant. As Judaism's holiest day it offers a powerful opportunity for spiritual renewal and atonement through fasting prayer and reflection.

Understanding when Yom Kippur occurs helps observers prepare for this sacred 25-hour period. Whether celebrated in New York Sydney or Jerusalem the day's profound meaning transcends time zones uniting Jewish communities worldwide in this solemn and transformative observance.

Those seeking to participate can mark their calendars for sunset on October 11 2024 when the next Yom Kippur begins. This sacred day continues to serve as an annual reminder of the importance of repentance forgiveness and spiritual growth in Jewish life.