Yom Kippur is considered to be one of the most important and holiest holidays in the Jewish calendar. “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement,” which refers to the yearly Jewish observance of fasting, prayer and repentance. This Jewish holiday is part of the High Holidays – which also includes Rosh Hashanah.

Yom Kippur falls at the 10th day of Tishri, and this year, it begins the evening of October 11 and ends the evening of October 12.

Here’s everything you need to know about Yom Kippur.

Fasting

Fasting is an act of fulfilling the biblical commandment to “practice self-denial.” The fast enables putting aside physical desires to instead focus on spiritual needs. These spiritual needs are actualized through prayer, repentance, and self-improvement.

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Rosh Hashanah is a religious festival which literally means “Head of the New Year.” This festival marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, as well as the start of a 10 day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance. For people who practice Judaism, it also marks the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve.

The Jewish Year

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days, beginning in the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Because of the difference between the solar and lunar calendar, the occasion doesn’t fall on a static date each year, but usually happens in September or October in the secular calendar.

This year (2016), Rosh Hashanah will start the evening of October 2 and will end the evening of October 4.

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