Unpacking the Mitzvot and Minhagim of Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur acts as the climax of the Yamim  Noraim, sealing our fates in the Book of Life.   Many consider it the holiest day of the year,  a time when we can come closest to Hashem and   seek forgiveness for our sins. Every aspect of  the day is designed to guide us toward teshuvah   and a fresh start. 1. Erev Yom Kippur  Our path towards atonement starts even before  Yom Tov begins. Yom Kippur might be known for   its fast, but the day before, it's actually  a mitzvah to eat! We have a festive meal   to celebrate Hashem's love for His nation  and His deep desire to accept our teshuva.  It’s also a minhag for men to immerse themselves  in a mikvah, symbolizing the spiritual purity   that comes with teshuvah. Many will also  ask forgiveness from anyone they may have   wronged in the past year and do Kaparot,  where a chicken (or more commonly today,   money) is symbolically waved over one’s  head as a reminder that repentance, charity,   and prayer can always change our fate. The money  and chicken used are then given to tzedakah.  2. Fasting and Restrictions The Torah tells us to “afflict”   ourselves on Yom Kippur. We do this by refraining  from eating, drinking, washing, wearing leather   shoes, and other physical comforts, all as a  way to contribute to the atonement process.  3. Neilah While most Yomim Tovim have four tefillos, Yom   Kippur has five. The last is Neilah, our final  chance to pray before the day ends. As the gates   of heaven close, we use this final opportunity  to offer our last tefillos with all our hearts.   When Neilah concludes, the shofar is blown,  officially bringing Yom Kippur to a close.