Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, starts today.
The solemn observance begins at sunset on Sunday, Sept. 20, and continues until nightfall on Monday, Sept. 21, this year.
Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, is a time for Jews to reflect on any sins or wrongdoings from the previous year.
Many fast and take off work or school during this time.
The holiday always follows Rosh Hashana, or the Jewish New Year, and the two observances are known together as the High Holidays.
On the Jewish calendar, the year is now 5787, according to Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement.
The Jewish calendar is lunisolar, which means it is based on the moon’s cycles and the sun’s position.
Jews believe that the Book of Life is opened on Rosh Hashana, and that God writes down what their upcoming year will hold.
Yom Kippur, just 10 days later, is considered the day one’s fate is sealed.
Before and during Yom Kippur, people will try to make amends with each other and seek forgiveness for wrongdoings.
Some Jews may pray near a body of water in a Tashlich ceremony, tossing pieces of bread or other food into the water to symbolize sending off sins.
Jews typically fast for 25 hours, abstaining from consuming any food or water from sunset the night Yom Kippur begins until the following evening.
There are other traditional restrictions against working, wearing leather shoes, bathing, applying lotions, and engaging in sexual activity, according to Chabad.com.
Many spend the day in synagogue services, reciting prayers in atonement.
A shofar, or ceremonial ram’s horn, will be blown on Yom Kippur, as it was on Rosh Hashana.
After the holiday ends, loved ones typically gather to break their fast.
When greeting Jewish friends, family, coworkers, or classmates, it’s appropriate to say the Hebrew phrase “G’mar chatima tova,” which means “May you be sealed in the Book of Life.”
The “ch” sound in “chatima” is not pronounced like the English word “chat.”
Instead, it’s a guttural sound, similar to the English letter “H,” but deeper.
You can also say, “Have an easy fast,” or “Have a meaningful Yom Kippur.”
Yom Kippur is not a celebratory holiday, but rather a solemn and reflective one, so you wouldn’t wish somebody a “happy” Yom Kippur.
Soon after Yom Kippur comes the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, a week-long fall harvest festival, beginning at sunset on Friday, Sept. 25.
The holiday ends on Oct. 2.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, which celebrate the end of the annual Torah-reading cycle and the beginning of a new one, take place from sunset on Friday, Oct. 2, through the evening of Saturday, Oct. 3.
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, follows.
This year, the first night of Hanukkah is Friday, Dec. 4, and the last night to light candles is Friday, Dec. 11.
However, the holiday runs through the evening of Saturday, Dec. 12.
Lastly in 2026, the Fast of Tevet, a minor fast day on the Jewish calendar, is from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, Dec. 20.
Marina Pitofsky, Sara Chernikoff, and Camille Fine of USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, observed with a 25-hour fast that begins at sunset and ends at nightfall, with exact times varying by city.
