(short for Ne'ilat She'arim, "the closing of the [heavenly] gates"). Fifth and concluding prayer service of the Day of Atonement, the only day of the year when a fifth service is recited. The Ne'ilah, normally said as the sun begins to set, is regarded as the last chance to pray for forgiveness for the previous year, and, as such, is conducted with great solemnity, with its own unique, somber melody. During the cantor's repetition of the Amidah, which follows the silent Amidah, the Ark is left open. This repetition incorporates a number of piyyutim (liturgical poems), especially of a penitential nature. Whereas during the previous ten days, the worshiper beseeches God to "write him" in the Book of Life, during Ne'ilah the words are changed to "seal," indicating the final nature of the hour. In Israel, the Priests (kohanim) ascend to bless the congregation. The service ends with the public "acceptance of the Kingdom of Heaven"; all repeat seven times "the Lord is God," recite once the verse, "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One," and conclude by reciting three times, "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever." The Shofar (ram's horn) is sounded and all exclaim, La-Shanah Ha-Ba'Ah Bi-Yerushalayim, "next year in Jerusalem."
The term ne'ilat she'arim was originally the name given to the prayer recited at the closing of the gates of the Temple.
