The nation prepares today for the Yom Kippur Day of Atonement, which begins this evening. Banks closed at 11 AM, and national bus and train service will cease early this afternoon. Ben Gurion International Airport will close at 1 PM, which helped lead to the cancellation of an El Al flight to Israel from New York and Toronto. The flight was to have arrived today, but has been rescheduled for tomorrow night.
Tens of thousands of worshippers are expected to arrive at the Western Wall during the fast, most of them for the concluding prayer service of Ne\'ilah. Large police and army forces will be on guard.
Yom Kippur, observance of which is mandated by Leviticus 16 and 23, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is the day on which the sins of the Jewish people are atoned for, in conjunction with proper repentance and asking of forgiveness. Synagogue services continue for most of the day, and include scriptural readings from Leviticus and the entire Book of Jonah. The day is a full public holiday in Israel and almost all establishments, including radio and television stations, will be closed.
Tens of thousands of worshippers are expected to arrive at the Western Wall during the fast, most of them for the concluding prayer service of Ne\'ilah. Large police and army forces will be on guard.
Yom Kippur, observance of which is mandated by Leviticus 16 and 23, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is the day on which the sins of the Jewish people are atoned for, in conjunction with proper repentance and asking of forgiveness. Synagogue services continue for most of the day, and include scriptural readings from Leviticus and the entire Book of Jonah. The day is a full public holiday in Israel and almost all establishments, including radio and television stations, will be closed.