Yom Kippur, Holiest Day On Jewish Calendar, Begins
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Ten days of reflection and repentance that began with Rosh Hashanah were ending Friday with the arrival of Yom Kippur at sundown.
On the Day of Atonement, observant Jews throughout the Tri-State Area and around the world will fast and attend synagogue to pray and repent for their sins of the past year.
"It's a time to look back on the year that just passed. Think about was what was good, what we want to do better and to look forward to how we can accomplish whatever our goals are for the coming year," New Rochelle resident Erica Leventhal said.
"It makes you take a step back and look at your life," New Rochelle's Margie Orstrove told CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.
In the Jewish tradition, at the conclusion of Yom Kippur at sundown Saturday each person's fate for the coming year is sealed.
"We're really pushed to think about and reflect about how we behaved in all of our interactions over the past year in hopes of being able to be better in the year to come," said Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle. "Yom Kippur is also seen as a judgment day. We are being asked to think and reflect about our actions, but God is thinking and reflecting about our actions too."
During the services there will be the blowing of the shofar, a ram's horn, which Rabbi Dorsch said serves as a wake-up call.
"It's one thing to be sorry, it's another thing to be sorry and then recognize and take the steps we need to do to be different, to not make the same mistakes again," Rabbi Dorsch said.
In a message to those observing, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, "During this period of reflection, it is my hope that we can recommit to creating a more secure and peaceful future for all. ... I extend warm wishes for a meaningful day and an easy fast. Gmar Chatima Tova."
The Day of Atonement is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
More people go to temple on Yom Kippur than any other holiday, 1010 WINS reported.
The Long Island Rail Road is adding extra trains to accommodate passengers observing Yom Kippur. For more information, click here.
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