Shabbos 250
YOM KIPPUR

Yom Kippur. One day of pure return.

A 25-hour fast of teshuva — five tefillos, no eating, drinking, leather shoes, anointing, washing, or marital intimacy.

PRINTABLE PACKET

Print your Yom Kippur packet.

PDF — cover, the five essentials, step-by-step, the blessings, your shopping list, and a one-page FAQ. Personalized with your local times when you set your ZIP.

Without a ZIP we still print the full guide; just no candle-lighting time.
FIVE ESSENTIALS

What you really need to know.

01
Pre-fast meal (Seudah HaMafsekes)
The meal eaten before the fast starts. Calm, complete; many eat chicken with mild seasoning. Conclude before candle lighting.
02
Light candles + Shehecheyanu
Light Yom Tov candles before sundown. Light a yahrzeit candle for departed parents.
03
Five tefillos
Maariv (with Kol Nidrei), Shacharis, Mussaf, Mincha, Neilah. Stay through all five if possible.
04
Yizkor in the morning
After the Torah reading at the morning service.
05
Break the fast
After Neilah and the final shofar blast. Many start with water and a small bite, then a meal.
STEP-BY-STEP

Yom Kippur, one step at a time.

  1. EREV YK

    Kapparos and giving tzedakah.

    Customs around morning: kapparos (chicken or money waved over the head + given to charity), special meals.

  2. AFTERNOON EREV YK

    Seudah HaMafsekes.

    The pre-fast meal. Complete it before lighting Yom Tov candles.

  3. BEFORE SUNDOWN

    Light candles + Yahrzeit candle.

    Yom Tov candles + a 25-hour yahrzeit candle for departed loved ones.

  4. NIGHT

    Kol Nidrei.

    The evening service. Kol Nidrei begins just before sundown. Wear non-leather shoes (canvas, rubber).

  5. MORNING

    Shacharis + Yizkor.

    Morning service. Torah reading. Yizkor after the Torah reading.

  6. LATE MORNING

    Mussaf + Avodah.

    The Avodah service recreating the Kohen Gadol's service in the Beis HaMikdash.

  7. AFTERNOON

    Mincha + Yonah.

    Mincha includes the haftarah of Yonah (Jonah).

  8. CLOSING

    Neilah — the closing of the gates.

    The fifth service, recited as the sun is setting. Final shofar blast.

  9. AFTER NIGHTFALL

    Break the fast.

    Havdalah (no spices, no fire-blessing on weekday YK). Start with water + a light bite, then a meal.

BLESSINGS

What to say, and when.

Followed by Shehecheyanu

Candle lighting + Shehecheyanu

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים

Baruch atah Adonai… l'hadlik ner shel Yom HaKippurim.

…who has commanded us to kindle the lights of Yom Kippur.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Shopping & prep list.

  • ·Yahrzeit candle (25-hour memorial candle)
  • ·Yom Tov candles
  • ·Non-leather shoes
  • ·A machzor for Yom Kippur
  • ·Easy-to-prepare break-fast foods (light meal, water, juice, bagels + spreads, fruit)
TEFILLAH NOTES
  • Add HaMelech HaKadosh + HaMelech HaMishpat throughout the 10 days.
  • Yizkor in Shacharis.
  • Avinu Malkeinu in every service except evening (if not on Shabbos).
  • Five tefillos: Maariv (with Kol Nidrei), Shacharis, Mussaf, Mincha, Neilah.
FAQ

Common questions.

Who is exempt from fasting?

Children under bar/bas mitzvah, pregnant or nursing women if at risk, those who are sick — anyone whose health would be in danger. Consult a rabbi for borderline cases.

Why no leather shoes?

One of the five afflictions of Yom Kippur. Wear canvas, rubber, or fabric shoes.

Can I take medication?

Medical needs override the fast. Take medications as prescribed. If unsure, ask your doctor + your rabbi.

See Yom Kippur on your calendar.

100 years of local candle lighting and Havdalah times — including every Yom Kippur between now and 2126.

Open the calendar
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