Yom Kippur Observed Until Sunset
Tuesday's sunset marked the beginning of the holiest day of the year as Jews bring in the high holiday Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Yom Kippur is a 25-hour period of fasting in which Jews repent for their wrong-doings to purify themselves for the new year.
"Most Jewish holidays are family-centered," said Yoni Arbel, a Jewish USC student. "Yom Kippur is more of an individualistc holiday. I don't even talk that much at Yom Kippur. I tend to keep to myself."
As with many holidays, there are rules to proper observance. Jewish law prohibits eating and drinking, showering, wearing leather (this indicates prosperity) and sex. The idea is to separate oneself from daily rituals, focus on self-improvements and repent through prayer in synagogue.
"I often feel like at the end of the day, I'm so hungry and thirsty that I can't even focus. I can't even focus on spiritual improvements," said Arbel.
USC Hillel and Chabad, the university's centers of Jewish life, host Yom Kippur services for students and faculty to provide a space for prayer.
USC Hillel's Executive Director Michael Jeser described the holiday as "somber" and "focused," but there is still a feeling of community.
"[People are] able to connect on this tradition as part of our heritage," he said.
Tuesday evening begins with the Kol Nidre service where Jews annul promises they made with God in the last year that they did not keep. This service focuses on regret.
At Hillel, there will be a dinner at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday with services to follow. Concluding the evening, students and the community are encouraged to participate in a guided meditation to begin the process of atonement.
Chabad hosts a more traditional service, complementing Hillel's Yom Kippur rituals.
Yom Kippur ends with the sounding of the shofar, a hollowed ram's horn that produces a wailing note.
"It signifies a feeling of yearning for me," said Arbel. "It's like wanting forgiveness from God and more importantly your fellow human beings."
Yom Kippur is observed on the 10th day of Tishrei, the seventh month in the Jewish calendar. This holiday comes eight days after the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah.
