YomKippur

All adults must fast; those boys and girls before the age of twelve or people that
were weak or ill were not required to fast. Many Messianic Jews observe this fast
in rememberance of the commandment.

The Yom Kippur services:

1) Kol Nidre- The evening service
2) Shacharit- The early morning service
3) Musaf- The second or additional Service
4) Mincha- The afternoon service
5) Ne'ila- The final service

The Kol Nidre service is the evening service and is called that because of the first
prayer we say Kol Nidre ("all Vows"). The service is started before sundown
because we are asking for all of the vows we have taken or the promises that we
have made and not kept be forgotten. This is a wonderful time to search our
hearts like King David..."and see if there be any wicked way in me."

Some Traditions:
KOL NIDRE

Yom Kippur begins, like all Jewish holidays, after sunset the previous day. Before
leaving home for the synagogue to attend the special Yom Kippur service, the
father may bless his children, an old custom that dates back to the Patriarchs,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

At the synagogue, the Torahs are taken out of the Ark. The congregation rises as
the cantor begins the famous Kol Nidre prayer in the chant known 'round the
world. In every Jewish community, the Kol Nidre service is taking place.
Kol means "all" and Nidre means "vows." The words of the Kol Nidre prayer state
that all vows and oaths not carried out are hereby canceled and void.
During the days of the Inquisition in 15th century Spain and Portugal, Jews were
often forced to give up their faith. Many of these Jews (Marranos) secretly
continued to practice Judaism. In the Kol Nidre prayer, they begged God to
forgive them for the vows which they knew they couldn't keep because they
observed their religion in secret. Kol Nidre released them from the vows made by
man to God.

The music of Kol Nidre is as impressive as the words. The sad and haunting
melody, which first appeared in Germany in the 16th century, has left an enduring
mark on Yom Kippur services.
(Excerpted from Tri-City Jewish Community Center Website,Tempe, AZ)

Candles are lit after the meal.

This is the only biblical holiday that does not include a kiddush (blessing over the
wine).

It is the only time during the year traditional Jews wear a talit after dark
in a prayer service.

People wear sneakers or soft slippers throughout the day rather than leather
shoes.

It is customary to wear white on Yom Kippur. This is symbolic of spiritual purity.
Many married men wear a kitel, which is also worn at their wedding or upon burial
as a reminder of the day of death and repentance.

Sins committed against another person cannot be atoned for until one has first
sought forgiveness from the person he/she has wronged. We must be completely
right with our fellow man. Matt 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar,
and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy
gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come and offer thy gift. KJV

Thus - it is customary to go visit (or at least call) friends, family, associates and
any person whom one may have somehow wronged or spoken ill of in the past
year and ask forgiveness.

For example, any stolen objects must be returned to their rightful owners. Any
person you have spoken Lashon Harah, evil gossip, about, should be asked for
their forgiveness.

It is a tradition to immerse oneself in a mikvah (ritual bath) on Erev Yom Kippur.
This symbolizes a person?s rebirth associated with the doing of Teshuvah, return.
This is symbolic of what our L-rd did before he sacrificed himself for us. Matt
3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But
John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to
me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all
righteousness." Then John consented. (from New International Version).

After the final shofar blast in the Ne'ila service the whole congregation says "Next
year in Jerusalem!"