HOW WE CELEBRATE

Before Yom Kippur begins, we practice 10 days of teshuva (repentance). In Judaism, the term chet (sin) connotes a sense of missing the mark, as in target practice. It is understood that although none of us can be accurate in our deeds at all times, we are required to strive toward complete perfection. We use the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to look within ourselves and to review our behaviors of the past year.

If we have offended or injured another person, we are obligated to sincerely request forgiveness of that person. The victim of the affront is correspondingly obligated to forgive, provided the request has been honestly made. All-day attendance at synagogue, even if spent in ardent prayer, will not wipe clean the slate for offenses committed against other people. The only transgressions actually forgiven on this day are those committed against God.

Yom Kippur begins with a pre-fast meal before sunset. Holiday candles are lit, and yahrzeit (memorial) candles are lit if the family is remembering loved ones who have died. This can be a good time to share precious memories of beloved departed relatives with the children. Children younger than nine are forbidden to fast, while older children are encouraged to eat less than usual but to not fast for the entire 25 hours of the holiday. Any person suffering from a life-threatening illness is forbidden to fast, as sanctity of life takes precedence over all other mitzvot.

The children are blessed before leaving home for the evening service. The synagogue liturgy of Erev Yom Kippur contains the stirring melodic chanting of the Kol Nidrei prayer. When the Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) is open and each Torah is dressed in pure holiday white and held by congregants, we ask to be released from vows to God that we made and did not keep.

Highlights of services during Yom Kippur day, the longest of the Jewish holidays, include the Al Chet prayer, an acrostic in which our transgressions of the past year are confessed in Alef-Bet order. People lightly beat their fist against their chest as each chet (sin) is spoken. Most of the transgressions mentioned are moral failings, such as wronging others, gossip, disrespect of parents and teachers, foul speech or dishonesty in business. The entire Al Chet is recited in the plural, reminding us that each of us bears responsibility for the well-being of our community. This practice also saves individuals from the embarrassment of recitating particular failings. We pray for God to be compassionate in judging us, and we pray that our prayer, tzedakah and performance of good deeds will cancel a harsh decree.

The Book of Jonah is read during the afternoon service. Its predominant theme is God's willingness to forgive when teshuva (repentence) is sincere. The day closes with the Ne'ilah service, which refers to the "shutting of the gates." Jewish tradition regards Yom Kippur as the day on which God ends decisions on the fate of each human being, and the liturgy vividly depicts gates beginning to close as the sun sets. A long, single note is sounded on the shofar to end Yom Kippur. Now, it's time to celebrate a new, worthy beginning, having made peace with one another and with God.