The nation prepares today for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which begins this evening. Banks closed at 11 AM, national bus, train and plane service will cease early this afternoon, and all radio and television broadcasts will stop until tomorrow night. Ben Gurion International Airport will close at 1 PM - except for a special El Al flight from Romania bringing 110 passengers whose charter plane was forced to land in Bucharest this morning because of a bomb scare.
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. Some 140 community centers and schools will hold "prayer gatherings" tomorrow, designed for those who would not otherwise attend synagogue prayers. Prayers and explanations will be alternated, guided by specially trained leaders.
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.
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. Some 140 community centers and schools will hold "prayer gatherings" tomorrow, designed for those who would not otherwise attend synagogue prayers. Prayers and explanations will be alternated, guided by specially trained leaders.
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.