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What are the High Holy Days in Judaism?

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Circular diagram of the Jewish religious year showing Hebrew months around the outer ring and Gregorian months inside, with major holidays and fasts such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover, and Purim labeled with their dates. — Jewish religious year The months and holidays of the Jewish religious year.

In Judaism, the High Holy Days—known as yamim nora'im—refer to the major festivals of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.1

While these two holidays are distinct, they are linked by a 10-day period of introspection and repentance known as the Aseret Yeme Teshuva, or the Ten Days of Penitence. This period begins on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which occurs on the first and second days of the month of Tishri. It concludes with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on Tishri 10.12

Rosh Hashanah: A time for reflection and spiritual reawakening, marked by the sounding of the shofar and prayers for a new year.32
Yom Kippur: The most solemn day of the Jewish religious year, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and reconciliation with God.32

During these days, believers engage in deep self-examination and the recitation of penitential prayers, or selichot, to seek forgiveness and spiritual renewal.2