Yom Kippur 2026

Halachic Framework

As a biblical festival (Yom Tov), Yom Kippur carries obligations similar to Shabbat, with a few permit exceptions:

• Work restrictions: Creative labor (melachah) is prohibited. Cooking and carrying for food preparation are permitted (ochel nefesh), so meals may be prepared on the festival itself.
• Prayer additions: Hallel is recited during the morning service, the Musaf sacrifice is memorialized in the Additional Prayer, and Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted into the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
• Yizkor: The memorial prayer for departed parents is recited in Diaspora communities (and in many Israeli ones) on the final day.
• Kiddush & candles: Festival candles are lit before sunset on the eve, and Kiddush is recited both nights.

Customs & Observances

• 25-hour complete fast — no eating, drinking, washing, leather shoes, or marital relations
• Five afflictions (inuyim)
• Kol Nidre prayer on the eve of Yom Kippur
• Ne'ilah — the closing prayer at sunset
• Final shofar blast

Greetings & Blessings for Yom Kippur

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Yom Kippur:

• Gmar Chatimah Tovah — "May you be sealed for good" (used before Yom Kippur)
• Tzom Kal — "An easy fast"
• Gmar Tov — "A good conclusion" (used after Yom Kippur)

בעברית:

• גמר חתימה טובה — לקראת יום הכיפורים
• צום קל — צום קל ומוצלח
• גמר טוב — לאחר יום הכיפורים

About Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish year, observed on the 10th of Tishrei. It is a 25-hour fast day of prayer and repentance from sunset to nightfall.

Also known as: Day of Atonement

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.

Candle Lighting Times for Yom Kippur 2026

Festival candles are lit on the evening of Sunday, September 20, 2026 before sunset. Times for six major communities:

Candle-lighting is calculated as sunset minus each community's customary offset (Jerusalem 40 minutes; most other communities 18). If a festival eve falls on a weekday, the times above are exact; use the weekly schedule links for surrounding dates.