Yom Kippur 2026: Dates, Meaning, Holiday and Fasting Rules

Yom Kippur 2026 begins at sundown on Sunday, September 20, 2026, and ends at nightfall on Monday, September 21, 2026. It corresponds to 10 Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and marks the close of the Ten Days of Repentance that begin at Rosh Hashanah.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar year. It is observed through a 25-hour fast, extended synagogue prayer, and abstention from five specific physical activities.

This guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates, the holiday’s theological meaning, fasting rules and exemptions, correct greeting etiquette, break-fast traditions, and its practical status in US workplaces and schools.

It does not cover Yom Kippur customs specific to Israel’s national calendar, nor does it address the unrelated 1973 Yom Kippur War beyond a brief historical summary at the end of the page.

When Is Yom Kippur 2026?

Yom Kippur 2026 falls on 10 Tishrei, beginning at sundown on September 20, 2026, and ending at nightfall on September 21, 2026.

The observance spans approximately 25 hours rather than a fixed 24 hours because Jewish law requires adding time to both ends of a fast day as a safeguard against eating or drinking before the day has technically closed.

Yom Kippur 2026 Start and End Times

Yom Kippur 2026 starts at sundown on Sunday, September 20, 2026, and concludes at nightfall on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Exact clock times for sundown and nightfall vary by geographic location and should be confirmed against a local synagogue’s candle-lighting schedule rather than a single national time.

A location in the Eastern United States, for example, will see sundown roughly 15–20 minutes earlier than a location in the Central time zone on the same calendar date.

The Hebrew Date: 10 Tishrei, 5787

Yom Kippur always falls on 10 Tishrei, the tenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. In 2026, 10 Tishrei corresponds to the Hebrew year 5787.

Tishrei is a 30-day month in the Hebrew calendar and is also the month in which Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah occur.

Yom Kippur Dates 2025–2030

The Gregorian date of Yom Kippur shifts annually because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, drifting roughly 11 days earlier each year before a leap month resets the alignment.

The table below lists confirmed start and end dates for six consecutive observances.

Note the recurring pattern: the Hebrew calendar’s postponement rules (dechiyot) prevent 10 Tishrei from falling on Tuesday, Friday, or Sunday.

As a result, Yom Kippur’s core observance day always falls on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday — the civil date listed as “begins” can precede that day by one evening.

Why the Yom Kippur Date Changes Every Year

Yom Kippur’s Gregorian date changes annually because it is fixed to the Hebrew calendar, not the solar calendar most Western countries use.

The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar: months follow the moon’s roughly 29.5-day cycle, while a leap month (Adar II) is inserted seven times every 19 years to keep the holidays anchored to their correct season.

This system means Yom Kippur can fall as early as mid-September or as late as mid-October, but it will never drift into a different season the way a purely lunar calendar (such as the Islamic calendar) would allow.

What Is Yom Kippur? Meaning and Significance

Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement” in Hebrew, from the root kippur (atonement, covering, or expiation). It is the culmination of a ten-day period of self-examination that Jewish tradition treats as the final opportunity to seek forgiveness for the past year’s transgressions before divine judgment is sealed.

Day of Atonement: Origin and Meaning

Yom Kippur’s origin is biblical, described in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23:26–32 as a day of national atonement performed by the High Priest in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

The text commands complete abstention from work and instructs the community to “afflict your souls,” the scriptural basis for the fast observed today.

Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the sacrificial rites described in Leviticus have been replaced by prayer, fasting, and teshuva (repentance) as the primary means of atonement.

The Book of Life and the Sealing of Fate

Jewish tradition holds that a person’s fate for the coming year is inscribed in the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah and sealed on Yom Kippur.

This concept explains the traditional greeting “G’mar Chatima Tova” — “may you be sealed for good” — used specifically in the days leading up to and during Yom Kippur, distinct from the Rosh Hashanah greeting “Shana Tova.”

The liturgical poem Unetaneh Tokef, recited during Yom Kippur services, is the primary textual source for this imagery.

Yom Kippur and the Ten Days of Repentance

Yom Kippur closes the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), also called the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), which begin at Rosh Hashanah. In 2026, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13.

This ten-day window is treated as a heightened period for self-examination, charitable acts, and reconciliation with others — Jewish tradition holds that Yom Kippur atones for sins against God but does not atone for wrongs against another person unless that person has first been approached directly for forgiveness.

Why Yom Kippur Is the Holiest Day of the Jewish Year

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the Jewish calendar because it is the only day referred to in the Torah as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” (Shabbat Shabbaton), carrying restrictions on work more stringent than a regular Shabbat.

Unlike most Jewish holidays, which combine celebration with religious observance, Yom Kippur consists entirely of fasting, prayer, and abstention, with no element of feasting until the fast concludes at nightfall.

How Yom Kippur Is Observed

Yom Kippur is observed through a full-day fast, extended synagogue services, and five specific abstentions collectively known as the “five afflictions.”

Observance level varies by denomination: Orthodox and many Conservative communities follow the full set of restrictions, while Reform and secular observance may include fasting and attendance at select services without full adherence to every prohibition.

The 25-Hour Fast

The Yom Kippur fast lasts approximately 25 hours, running from before sundown on the evening it begins until after nightfall the following day.

The fast prohibits both food and drink, including water, distinguishing it from partial fasts observed on other days in the Jewish calendar (such as the Fast of Gedaliah, which permits water).

Fasting is understood in Jewish law as a form of inui nefesh — affliction of the soul — intended to focus attention away from physical needs and toward repentance.

Who Is Exempt From Fasting on Yom Kippur

Jewish law exempts several groups from fasting under the principle of pikuach nefesh (preservation of life), which overrides the fasting obligation whenever fasting would endanger health. Exempt groups typically include the following:

• Individuals with a diagnosed medical condition where fasting poses a documented health risk, such as diabetes requiring regular food intake
• Pregnant individuals experiencing complications, subject to guidance from both a physician and a rabbi
• Nursing individuals in cases where fasting would compromise their own health or milk supply
• Children under the age of bar or bat mitzvah (13 for boys, 12 for girls), who are not obligated to fast at all
• Elderly individuals for whom fasting carries elevated medical risk

This is not an exhaustive halachic ruling. Anyone with a medical condition should consult both a physician and a rabbi before Yom Kippur to determine an individualized exemption, since Jewish law treats these decisions case by case rather than through blanket rules.

Can You Drink Water on Yom Kippur 2026?

No. The Yom Kippur fast prohibits drinking water along with all other food and beverages for the full 25-hour period. This differs from some non-Jewish fasting practices that permit water while restricting solid food.

Individuals under a documented medical exemption may be instructed by a rabbi to take small, measured amounts of water or medication at specific intervals rather than fasting normally — this is a halachic accommodation, not a general permission.

The Five Traditional Afflictions

Jewish law identifies five specific prohibitions for Yom Kippur, derived from rabbinic interpretation of the Leviticus command to “afflict your souls.” The five afflictions are:

• No eating or drinking
• No wearing of leather shoes
• No bathing or washing for pleasure
• No applying lotions, oils, or perfumes
• No marital relations

Contemporary observance extends these principles to modern equivalents in some communities — for instance, avoiding cosmetics or refraining from non-essential electronic device use — though these extensions are customary practice rather than the five biblically-derived afflictions themselves.

Synagogue Services and Liturgy

Yom Kippur services are longer than those of any other day in the Jewish calendar, often running a combined six or more hours across the evening and full-day sessions.

Services follow a structured sequence: an evening service opening with Kol Nidre, a full day of prayer including Torah reading, and a closing service at nightfall.

Kol Nidre

Kol Nidre (“all vows”) is the opening prayer of Yom Kippur, recited at sundown as the fast begins. It is a legal declaration annulling unfulfilled vows made to God in the coming year, not a prayer of personal confession. Its haunting melody has made it one of the most recognized pieces of Jewish liturgical music.

Yizkor

Yizkor is the memorial prayer recited for deceased relatives, said during the Yom Kippur morning service and on three other occasions in the Jewish calendar year: the last day of Passover, the second day of Shavuot, and Shemini Atzeret. Some individuals whose parents are both living customarily leave the sanctuary during Yizkor.

Ne’ilah and the Closing Shofar Blast

Ne’ilah (“closing”) is the final service of Yom Kippur, recited as the fast day comes to an end. Its central metaphor is the closing of heavenly gates, framed as a last opportunity to petition for a favorable judgment before the verdict is finalized. The service concludes with a single, extended blast of the shofar, after which the fast is considered complete.

What to Wear on Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur has no mandatory dress code, though white clothing is a widespread custom symbolizing purity and is not a requirement. Non-leather shoes are the one clothing-related rule with halachic standing, tied directly to the five afflictions rather than to custom. Some individuals, particularly married men in Ashkenazi communities, wear a white robe called a kittel during services.

What to Say on Yom Kippur: Greeting Etiquette

The correct Yom Kippur greeting is “G’mar Chatima Tova” or the simpler “Tzom Kal” (easy fast) — not “Happy Yom Kippur.” Because Yom Kippur is a solemn day centered on repentance rather than celebration, a greeting built around “happy” is considered a mismatch in tone, even though it is not offensive in intent.

Why “Happy Yom Kippur” Is Considered Incorrect

“Happy Yom Kippur” is considered incorrect because Yom Kippur is not a celebratory holiday; it is a day of fasting, self-examination, and repentance.

This differs from Rosh Hashanah, where “Happy New Year” or “Shana Tova” fits the holiday’s celebratory tone. Community guidance consistently favors phrases built around “meaningful” or “easy” rather than “happy” when addressing someone observing Yom Kippur.

G’mar Chatima Tova and Other Traditional Greetings

“G’mar Chatima Tova,” meaning “may you be sealed for good [in the Book of Life],” is the standard Yom Kippur greeting. Common variations include:

• “G’mar Tov” — a shortened version of the same phrase
• “Tzom Kal” — literally “an easy fast,” used before or during the fast day itself
• “Have a meaningful fast” — an English-language equivalent commonly used by non-Hebrew speakers

What to Say to a Jewish Coworker or Friend

A non-Jewish coworker or friend can appropriately say “Have an easy fast” or “Have a meaningful Yom Kippur” to someone observing the holiday.

This typically applies whether the recipient is actively fasting or observing in a more limited way. Gift-giving is not customary for Yom Kippur, unlike Rosh Hashanah, where gifts and sweet foods are traditional; a verbal greeting or a brief note is the appropriate gesture instead.

Yom Kippur Break-Fast Traditions

The Yom Kippur break-fast is the meal eaten immediately after nightfall on the fast’s final day, typically centered on foods that rehydrate and provide quick energy after 25 hours without food or water.

The Pre-Fast Meal: Seudah Hamafseket

Seudah Hamafseket is the final meal eaten before the fast begins, traditionally a substantial but not overly salty or spicy meal to avoid excess thirst during the fast. It is customarily eaten in the late afternoon before sundown, followed by candle lighting to mark the start of the holiday.

Traditional Break-Fast Foods

Traditional Ashkenazi break-fast menus favor dairy and easily digestible foods rather than heavy meat dishes. Common items include bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon (lox), herring, kugel (a baked noodle or potato dish), honey cake, and fresh fruit.

Coffee, tea, and juice are typically served first to address dehydration before solid food. Sephardic and Mizrahi communities often serve different breakfast items, such as savory pastries or rice-based dishes, reflecting regional rather than universal Jewish custom.

Is Yom Kippur a Federal Holiday?

Yom Kippur is not a federal holiday in the United States. It does not appear on the official list of 11 US federal holidays, meaning federal government offices, the US Postal Service, and most banks remain open on the date, though individual employers may grant time off as a religious accommodation.

School, Bank, and Business Closures

Most US public schools remain open on Yom Kippur, with exceptions in districts serving large Jewish populations.

New York City Public Schools, the largest school district in the United States, close on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as do several districts in areas of New Jersey and suburban Maryland with significant Jewish enrollment.

Not closed, but with formal accommodation policies: Columbia University, NYU, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, and University of Michigan remain open on Yom Kippur but prohibit faculty from scheduling exams or major assignments on the date and provide excused absences for observing students.

Chicago Public Schools also remain open district-wide, despite closures in several of its northern suburbs listed above.

State-level notes: Texas designates Yom Kippur an optional state holiday — state employees may use a floating holiday to observe it, but no statewide school closure is mandated.

New Jersey’s State Board of Education lists Yom Kippur among religious holidays that permit excused student absences, which supports the high closure rate among its districts shown above.

Banks and the US Postal Service follow the standard federal holiday schedule and do not close for Yom Kippur, since it is not a recognized federal holiday.

Requesting Time Off Work for Yom Kippur

An employee requesting Yom Kippur off should submit the request as a religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires US employers to reasonably accommodate sincerely held religious practices unless doing so causes undue hardship to the business.

In practice, this typically means notifying a manager or HR department in advance, in writing, and specifying the dates involved — sundown Sunday, September 20, 2026 through nightfall Monday, September 21, 2026.

Some employers require the request to be submitted a set number of weeks ahead of the date; policies vary by company and should be confirmed against internal HR guidance rather than assumed.

Yom Kippur vs. Rosh Hashanah: Key Differences

Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are related but distinct holidays that are frequently confused in casual conversation, particularly regarding appropriate greetings and gifts.

The Yom Kippur War of 1973

The Yom Kippur War was a 19-day military conflict fought between Israel and a coalition led by Egypt and Syria, beginning on October 6, 1973, and ending with a ceasefire on October 25, 1973.

It is a historically distinct topic from the religious observance of Yom Kippur and shares only its starting date with the holiday.

Why the War Shares the Holiday’s Name

The war shares the holiday’s name because Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel on October 6, 1973, which coincided with Yom Kippur that year.

The timing was strategic: Israeli society was largely at a standstill for the fast, a factor the attacking coalition calculated would slow Israel’s mobilization response.

Key Facts and Outcome

The war ended with a United Nations-brokered ceasefire under UN Security Council Resolution 338, adopted on October 22, 1973, though sporadic fighting continued for several more days before fully stopping on October 25, 1973.

The conflict’s aftermath led to a sustained diplomatic process, including US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s shuttle diplomacy, and culminated in the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, followed by the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty.

This historical event does not affect the religious calendar or observance of Yom Kippur in any subsequent year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yom Kippur 2026