Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year – the day on which we are closest to God and to the centre of our own souls.
It is the Day of Atonement.
“For on this day He will forgive you (through the priest), to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before God” – Leviticus 16:30.
Jews will –
For nearly twenty-six hours from several minutes before sunset on 9th Tishrei to after nightfall on 10th Tishrei – we “afflict our souls”: we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations.