A girl rides a bicycle when the streets are empty on Yom Kippur
צילום: רויטרס
Yom Kippur
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Yom Kippur, the "Day of Atonement," is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It falls on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which usually falls sometime in September or October.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are commonly referred to as the High Holidays.
Traditionally, Jews do not eat or drink for a 25-hour period of Yom Kippur and spend most of the day in synagogues, praying to God to repent for one's sins. It is said that on Yom Kippur God's decisions, which have already been written, are now sealed, thus this day is the last chance for Jews to change this judgment.
Jews do not work on Yom Kippur. It is customary for Jews to wear white, which symbolizes purity, and to refrain from wearing leather, in a sign of humility. The Yom Kippur prayer service comes to a conclusion after sundown with a long blast on the shofar, a ram's horn that is blown somewhat like a trumpet. Traditionally, Jews who fast for the holiday meet for meals afterward to "break" the fast.
In Israel, there are hardly any vehicles on the road. However, many adults and children in Israel will be seen on bicycle and roller blades to take advantage of the open roads on Yom Kippur.
