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Yom Kippur is a day of dedication to atonement and abstinence. It is the most sacred of all the Jewish holidays and is known as the Sabbath of Sabbaths. During Rosh Hashanah God has judged most of mankind and has recorded his judgment in the Book of Life then gives ten days to reprieve. Then, on Yom Kippur is sealed and all those who have repented their sins will be granted a good and happy New Year. Yom Kippur is basically a day of "not doing". The idea is to emulate the angels in heaven who do not eat, drink, or wash. The five main don'ts of Yom Kippur are no eating or drinking, no anointing with perfumes or lotions, no marital relations, no washing and no wearing leather shoes. On the night before Yom Kipper the Jewish community will join at the synagogue for the Vidui (or confession) service. Here confessions are expressed verbally as a community and are part of the formal repentance in asking G-ds forgiveness. Vidui is the only service during the year that the doors to the Ark, where the Torah scrolls are kept, are open the entire service to signify that the gates of Heaven are open at this time.
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Yom Kippur Celebration Theme, Decorations,
Favors, Games, and Ideas
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