Jewish Holiday Yom Kippur 2009: History, Greeting, End Time

Yom Kippur 2009 -- a Jewish holiday celebrated starting at dusk on Sunday, September 27, is the holiest day of the year for religious Jews. It is also referred to as the Day of Atonement and Repentance. The way this day is spent is in fasting and numerous prayers. Among other prohibitions on this day are - no drinking, no bathing, and no marital relations. Many people refrain from work and studies.

The history of Yom Kippur says that God seals a person's fate on Yom Kippur. So, the day becomes the last day to try to amend one's fate. It is common to seek forgiveness and confess sins publicly during the day (a special ritual called Vidui is dedicated to that).

On the eve before Yom Kippur, a traditional dinner is shared, followed by a visit to the synagogue for prayer. The next day, more prayer is said and fasting commences. The usual Yom Kippur greeting during the fast is "G'mar Chatimah Tovah." Many ask what time Yom Kippur ends -- Yom Kippur ends with recitation of Shema Yisrael and the blowing of a traditional horn called shofar. The ceremony this year ends at nightfall on Monday, September 28.

In 2010, Yom Kippur will take place September 17-18.