Yom Kippur Quotes and Greetings

Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days on the Jewish religious calendar. The event marks the end of the Days of Awe, a 10-day observance during which Jews around the world conduct self-reflection and do penance. On the day of Yom Kippur, people atone for their sins by fasting and abstaining from all material things (including work) for an entire day. In this article, I will offer a few of the most typical Yom Kippur quotes and greetings. It should be noted that Yom Kippur is a day of repentance and not a happy occasion.

"Have an easy fast!"

"And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: On the tenth day of the seventh month, there shall be a day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation unto you, and you shall afflict your soul. Do no work on that day because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before LORD your God."

"If one fasts for his or her sins and does the same things again, who will listen to his plead? And what has he gained by humbling himself?"

"The work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and confidence for ever."

"Yom Kippur is about personal and community transgressions. The fasting remains a compelling element. The purpose of the ritual observance is to change our ethical observance." Barry Schwartz

"Peace, peace to the far and to the near!"

"Who can say 'I have purified my heart or I have been cleansed from my sins?' There is no person on earth so righteous that he never sins! Cast away the evil you have done and get a new heart and spirit."

"On Yom Kippur, we gather as individuals, as part of a community, and as part of a country.....For most of us, today is the only day during the year that we go without food." Barry Schwartz