It's Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement

The name "Yom Kippur" literally means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to examine your soul, and to atone for any sins you may have committed in the last year.

There are two types of sins you may have committed- against other people, and against God. Services at Yom Kippur are asking forgiveness for the sins against God. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must be done before Yom Kippur.

The Talmud (Jewish laws and lore) specifies a 25 hour fast, no work (as if it were the Sabbath), and some restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.

Naturally, any of these restrictions can be lifted where a threat to life or health is involved. In fact, children under the age of nine and women in childbirth (from the time labor begins until three days after birth) are not permitted to fast, even if they want to. Older children and women from the third to the seventh day after childbirth are permitted to fast, but are permitted to break the fast if they feel the need to do so. People with other illnesses should consult a physician and a rabbi for advice.

It's perhaps the most well-attended holiday at a synagogue, so sometimes its difficult to get a ticket (It's one of the holidays that everyone seems to go to Temple for, and as a result, oftentimes there are more people than seats.

Services at Hillel at Brown University are open to everyone, no ticket is required.

This year the Reform service will be led by Zoe Weiman Kelman, from Kol HaNeshama synagogue in Jerusalem. Conservative services will be led by Rabbi Rich Kirschen and Cantor Amichai Margolis.

Monday, September 16
9:30 am - Conservative Service - Sayles Hall
9:30 am - Reform Service - Andrews Dining Hall
4:15 pm - Conservative Service - Sayles Hall
4:15 pm - Reform Service - Andrews Dining Hall
7:45 pm - Break-Fast - Andrews Dining Hall

Have a good fast everyone!