For 25 hours, the followers of Judaism will fast and rest for Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Tuesday and ends with “break-the-fast” at sundown on Wednesday.
Yom Kippur is the day when people repent for their sins and ask forgiveness, said Becky Sebo, a sophomore studying dance.
“You have ten days after Rosh Hashanah to repent all your sins and make amends with people you might have wronged or ignored,” she said. “Then Yom Kippur is a day to reflect.”
Traditions include having a celebratory pre-fast meal early in the evening; wearing white to reflect purified states of being; and abstaining from eating, bathing, sexual relations, wearing leather and work, said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw, executive director of Hillel at Ohio University.
“It sometimes becomes complicated for students, because they shouldn’t be in class,” Leshaw said. “They should be honoring relationships between themselves and God.”
Kol Nidre, meaning “all vows”, is the evening service that begins Yom Kippur. Services will be held at Hillel beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Morning services will be held at Hillel,Wednesday starting at 10:30 a.m., followed by Yizkor.
“Yizkor is when you remember people that have died,” Leshaw said. “A special memorial service is held to honor them.”
Leshaw and Sebo will be reading the Torah for the morning services.
“Last year I blew the shofar, so I asked if I could chant some of the Torah because I wanted to be a part of it (the celebration) somehow,” Sebo said.
Evening services will be held at 6 p.m. to conclude Yom Kippur, and a Break-the-Fast Dairy Potluck will follow.
Most everyone stays home and does a complete fast for Yom Kippur, but some people might not be able to, Sebo said.
People who are sick or pregnant or need to take medication are permitted to consume water and food, she added.
“Even if I’m not busy, I’ll be staying home and not doing any work,” she said. “It’s a day of rest and time to pray.”
Leshaw said they are expecting a large crowd for the Yom Kippur services.
“We are a bit concerned that everyone might not fit,” Leshaw said. “It is a blessing, but at the same time, we’ll be cozy, and we don’t want to turn anyone away.”
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