Yom Kipur

Yom Kippur has five prayer services: Maariv (evening service beginning with Kol Nidre), Shacharit (morning service), Musaf (additional service including the Avodah), Mincha (afternoon service including the Book of Jonah), and Neilah (the closing service unique to Yom Kippur).

Kol Nidre is the opening prayer of Yom Kippur, recited at the evening service just before sunset. It annuls unfulfilled vows made to God during the coming year. The haunting melody of Kol Nidre is one of the most recognizable in Jewish liturgy.

On Yom Kippur, five activities are forbidden: eating and drinking, washing for pleasure, applying lotions or oils, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. These restrictions help focus the day entirely on spiritual matters and repentance.

Neilah ('closing') is the final prayer service of Yom Kippur, recited as the day ends and the 'gates of heaven' are about to close. It is the most intense and emotional service, ending with the congregation declaring 'Shema Yisrael' and a long shofar blast.