Yom Kippur begins today. The Day of Atonement is to observant Jews what Easter is to observant Christians: the holiest holiday of the year. This article explains what Yom Kippur means and how it is observed. We also offer useful Lilit tips for intercultural interaction, helping you navigate Jewish life confidently on this day, whether on a business trip in Israel or with Jewish friends.

Religious customs on Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is observed as a strict day of rest and fasting, marked by atonement and repentance. In Judaism, it is the day God frees people from the previous year’s sins. According to the Talmud, wrongs against others are forgiven only if the injured person has first been asked for forgiveness. It is therefore common to settle unresolved conflicts with friends, colleagues or family in the days before the holiday. For many, visiting the synagogue is part of Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement falls on the 10th of Tishri in the Jewish calendar, so its date varies within September or October. It starts before sunset and lasts 25 hours until sunset the next day. No work is done, and a strict fast is kept. Beforehand, people say “Tzom kal” (“an easy fast”). They pray and visit the synagogue; even secular Jews often attend. Strictly observant Jews wear white to symbolise spiritual purification. In earlier times, the community’s sins were also symbolically transferred to a ram selected by lot, the “scapegoat”, which was sent into the desert to the demon Azazel to atone for them.

A time for repentance

Apples and honey for the New Year. Together with Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur forms the traditional Jewish High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah begins the period of repentance 10 days before Yom Kippur; this year it was 20 September. Family and friends celebrate joyfully, eating apples with honey so the year starts sweetly. They wish each other “Shana tova umetuka” (“a sweet year”) or “Leshana tova tikatevu!” (“May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for a good year”). This reflects the belief that God judges people’s conduct in three books and seals their judgement and fate for the coming year on Yom Kippur. The days between the holidays are therefore an important “last chance” to repent. Hence the traditional Yom Kippur greeting, “Chatima tova” (“a good sealing”).

The holiday in Israel today

Empty streets in Kazan, Israel. Almost all Jewish Israelis, including the non-religious, observe Yom Kippur to some degree. The country comes to a standstill: almost no cars, buses or trains run except in emergencies. Secular young Israelis now often cycle or skate on the empty roads. All border crossings, even airports, close, as do cafés and restaurants except Arab ones. Eating or listening to music in public is considered very rude. TV and radio broadcast only “silent” programmes, interrupted for emergencies. This was a lesson from the October 1973 Yom Kippur War, when Syria and Egypt exploited Israel’s paralysis and vulnerability to attack. To prevent such weakness recurring, Israel now maintains military readiness on the Day of Atonement too.

Lilit tips for Yom Kippur

We have gathered six essential Lilit tips to help you stay confident across cultures and avoid faux pas and unnecessary trouble on Yom Kippur:

  1. A friendly “Chag sameach!” (Hebrew for “happy holiday”) shows polite respect for another’s faith, both in Israel and towards Jewish acquaintances and colleagues in Germany. This general greeting can be used on all Jewish holidays. Pronunciation: the ch is pronounced as a hard sound, as in the German word “doch”. In “sameach”, stress the e.
  2. Avoid phrases such as “Happy Yom Kippur”, as they conflict with the solemnity of the day.
  3. Before the holiday begins, people also wish each other “Tzom kal” (“an easy fast”).
  4. Remember: to avoid seeming disrespectful, do not eat, drink or listen to music in public on the Day of Atonement. Even avoid disturbing others with cooking or food smells from your home.
  5. If you are planning a stay in Israel, factor the complete shutdown of public life on Yom Kippur into your plans to avoid considerable inconvenience.
  6. Have you been putting off apologising to Jewish friends or colleagues? Yom Kippur is an appropriate time.

Would you like more to read about Israel?

Starting business relationships with Israelis and want to know more about Israeli customs and traditions? Lilit’s intercultural seminar is just right for you! Write to us if you have questions or would like support for yourself and your team through intercultural coaching for Israel or another intercultural training programme. We would be happy to advise you! Cover image source: Flickr: Government Press Office (CC licence)