Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is considered the most solemn day in the Jewish religious year because it is a time for Jews to seek to expiate their sins and achieve reconciliation with God. It concludes the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to effect individual and collective purification by forgiveness and sincere repentance. It is marked by abstention from food, drink, and sex. Jewish congregations spend the eve of Yom Kippur and the entire day in prayer and contemplation.
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