Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day on the Jewish calendar. Unlike many Jewish holidays that center on festive gatherings, Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, when Jewish communities around the world come together to seek forgiveness and atone for the past year. It marks the close of the Ten Days of Repentance, a period of introspection that begins with Rosh Hashanah and culminates in Yom Kippur, when tradition holds that God seals each person's fate for the year ahead.
When is Yom Kippur 2026?
Yom Kippur in 2026 will begin at sundown on Sunday, September 20th, and will end at nightfall on Monday, September 21st. Like all Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur follows the Hebrew calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, and it always falls on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, exactly ten days after Rosh Hashanah.
Is Yom Kippur the same day every year?
No, Yom Kippur does not fall on the same date every year on the Gregorian calendar. Because it follows the Hebrew calendar, its Gregorian date shifts from year to year. Depending on the year, Yom Kippur can land anywhere from mid-September to mid-October.
| Year | Yom Kippur begings | Yom Kippur ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, Sept 20 | Monday, Sept 21 |
| 2027 | Sunday, Oct 10 | Monday, Oct 11 |
| 2028 | Friday, Sept 29 | Saturday, Sept 30 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, Sept 18 | Wednesday, Sept 19 |
The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, meaning it's based on the cycles of the moon while still adjusting to stay aligned with the solar year. This is why Yom Kippur, like Purim and other Jewish holidays, lands on a different date each year.
What happens on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is observed with a 25-hour fast, abstaining from both food and water, along with extended prayer services held throughout the day. The evening service that begins the holiday features Kol Nidre, a solemn declaration recited before the start of the fast, and the day concludes with Neilah, the final and most urgent of the day's prayer services, as the "gates" of judgment are said to close.
Many of the customs of Yom Kippur are about affliction and humility rather than celebration. It's traditional to refrain from work, bathing, wearing leather shoes, and other physical comforts for the duration of the holiday. Giving to those in need, or tzedakah, is also an important part of the day, reflecting the themes of repentance and renewal that carry through from Rosh Hashanah.
How to greet someone on Yom Kippur
Because Yom Kippur is such a solemn day, it's best to avoid saying "Happy Yom Kippur." Instead, the traditional greetings are:
- "G'mar chatimah tovah" – may you be sealed for a good year
- "Have an easy fast" or "have a meaningful fast"
- "Tzom kal" – the Hebrew equivalent of "easy fast"
These greetings reflect the reflective, rather than celebratory, nature of the day.
Breaking the fast
After 25 hours without food or water, the meal that follows Yom Kippur, is one of the most anticipated traditions of the holiday. Because the body has gone so long without eating, breakfast meals are traditionally light, gentle, and easy to digest rather than rich or heavy. Fresh fruit, dairy dishes, and mild baked goods, are all common choices, giving the body a gentle way to ease back into eating after the fast.
The evening before the fast begins, many families also share a final meal called the seudah mafseket, meant to be filling but not too salty or heavy, so as not to leave anyone overly thirsty once the fast starts.
Breaking the fast with Broadway Basketeers
At Broadway Basketeers, we can help you celebrate the spirit of the holiday and honor the break-fast tradition with our collection of gourmet gift baskets. Here are a few ready-made baskets that can be delivered straight to your door:
Farm Fresh Fruit Gift Basket
Fresh fruit is one of the most traditional ways to break a fast, offering a gentle and hydrating option after 25 hours without food or water. Our Farm Fresh Fruit Gift Basket is packed with a hand-selected variety of seasonal fruit, making it a thoughtful and refreshing gift for family or friends observing the holiday.
Fresh Fruit & Nuts Gift Box Deluxe
For a break-fast gift with a little more substance, our Fresh Fruit & Nuts Gift Box Deluxe pairs fresh fruit with a selection of nuts, offering a well-rounded option after a long day of fasting.
Gourmet Assorted Rugelach
No break-fast spread feels complete without something a little indulgent. Our Gourmet Assorted Rugelach features a delicious variety of this classic Jewish pastry, perfect for sharing with loved ones once the fast has ended.
Every gift basket from Broadway Basketeers is 100% certified kosher (OK Kosher), so you can send break-fast treats or holiday gifts to family, friends, and colleagues with complete confidence and peace of mind.
Sharing the Spirit of the Season
Yom Kippur is a profound time of reflection, renewal, and community connection. Whether you are gathering around the table with loved ones to break the fast or sending warm wishes across the miles, thoughtful gestures help bridge the distance.
From all of us at Broadway Basketeers, we wish you a reflective High Holy Day season and a G'mar Chatima Tova, may you be sealed for a good year ahead.
