What happens at Yom Kippur?

Answer 1

It is considered by many to be the day Moses receive the second set of the ten commandments. It was also the day the Jews were granted atonement for praying to a golden calf, and therefore many Jews fast on Yom Kippur, as a day of atonement.

Answer 2

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement, which includes a 25 hour fast and a day of prayer.

The Yom Kippur prayer service includes several unique aspects. One is the actual number of prayer services. Unlike a regular day, which has three prayer services (Ma'ariv, the evening prayer; Shacharit, the morning prayer; and Mincha, the afternoon prayer), or a Shabbat or Yom Tov, which have four prayer services (Ma'ariv; Shacharit; Musaf, the additional prayer; and Mincha), Yom Kippur has five prayer services (Ma'ariv; Shacharit; Musaf; Mincha; and Ne'ilah, the closing prayer). The prayer services also include a public confession of sins (Vidui) and a unique prayer dedicated to the special Yom Kippur avodah (service) of the Kohen Gadol in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

As one of the most culturally significant Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur is observed by many secular Jews who may not observe other holidays. Many secular Jews attend synagogue on Yom Kippur-for many secular Jews the High Holidays are the only recurring times of the year in which they attend synagogue, causing synagogue attendance to soar, and almost four-fifths fast.