Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that is marked by its solemnity and a day to begin the new year with a fresh start.
Yom Kippur, which begins on Sept. 18 this year, is one of the most important religious days in Judaism. (Though it might not seem that way based on U.S. popular culture, Hanukkah is actually one of the least important.) The holiday is inseparable from its 25-hour fast, which also prohibits drinking water — even the water used for brushing one’s teeth.
Here’s what you should know about Yom Kippur and what it means for those observing.
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that translates to “Day of Atonement” in English. It follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, by a little more than a week — and the two are known as the “Jewish high holidays” or “high holy days.”
Rosh Hashanah, which began on Sept. 9 this year, marks the beginning of the Hebrew calendar — currently in the year 5779 — and is considered a time for joy and celebration. When Yom Kippur ta..