YOM KIPPUR

The most solemn day on the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur (yome kih-POOR). The Day of Atonement, which will be observed this year from sundown today to sundown Saturday, concludes the 10 High Holy Days of self-scrutiny and repentance.

* TRADITION: According to rabbinical accounts, it is the day on which Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the second set of Commandment tablets and announced God’s pardon of the people for worshiping a golden calf. Mentioned in the biblical book of Leviticus (23:26-32) along with other holy days, Yom Kippur has come to be observed as a day of fasting, rest, meditation and prayer for God’s forgiveness.

* OBSERVANCES: Religious Jews will excuse themselves from their workplaces during the 24-hour period of Yom Kippur. Synagogue services tonight will feature the Kol Nidre recitations, which start with the cancellation of all unfulfilled promises to God made rashly or unwittingly during the previous year. Synagogues will be at their fullest for a series of daytime services Saturday; members have made their reservations far in advance, but some temples will have unassigned seating. Rites end with the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn, and the traditional prayer, “Next year in Jerusalem.”