13 things to do for a meaningful Yom Kippur ✍

The Yom Kippur fast begins before sunset on Oct. 4 and ends the following night. [View Online Version]( [Chabad.org]( ב"ה [The Yom Kippur fast]( begins before sunset on Oct. 4 and ends the following night. [Scales of Justice]( Dear Friend, We are just days away from [the Yom Kippur fast day]( when we unite with each other, with our souls, and with G-d. It’s a day of unity on all levels. And this Yom Kippur comes as we usher in [the Hakhel year]( dedicated to coming together to learn Torah, gain inspiration, and strengthen Jewish unity and pride. As we fill up on Yom Kippur inspiration, let’s make sure to channel it into regular Hakhel gathering throughout the year. Need help putting a Hakhel together? [We’re here to help]( To help you get ready, here is a list of 13 things to do before Yom Kippur. We hope you find them useful and inspirational. With wishes for a deeply meaningful, uplifting (and easy) Yom Kippur fast, From your friends and family @ Chabad.org 13 things to do before Yom Kippur 1 Brush Up on Yom Kippur Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year with unique observances. How much do you know about this all-important fast day, when returning to G-d and repairing and resetting our relationship with Him is paramount? » [19 Yom Kippur Facts Every Jew Should Know]( » [9 Yom Kippur Myths and Misconceptions]( 2 Get Ready for Hakhel This new Jewish year, 5783, is dedicated to gatherings of Torah, inspiration, and unity » [Sign Up to Host Hakhel]( » [What Is Hakhel?]( 3 Make Phone Calls In times gone-by, we would send postcards to family and friends, wishing them a good year. Today, a phone call does the trick. This is the time to wish them a shanah tovah (“good year”) and also ask for forgiveness for anything hurtful you may have done or said. » [Get the Scoop on High Holiday Greetings in Hebrew and Yiddish]( » [Send E-Greeting Cards to Friends and Family]( 4 Read a Letter of the Rebbe Before major holidays and festivals, the Rebbe would issue pastoral letters addressed to the “Sons and Daughters of Our People Israel, Everywhere.” That includes all of us! » [Read a Letter Especially Pertinent for This Year]( 5 Bake (and Ask for) Honey Cake (“Lekach”) There is a custom to symbolically beg for honey cake, expressing our wish that if it had been decreed, G‑d forbid, that this year we will resort to a handout, let this be it. » [Get Miriam’s Favorite “Lekach” Recipe]( » [Why Do We Beg for Honey Cake Before Yom Kippur?]( 6 Prepare for 2 (Actually 3) Meals On the afternoon leading up to Yom Kippur, it is customary to eat two square meals, each one beginning with challah dipped in honey. Since you will have another festive meal after the fast ends the following night, make sure to make extras that you can whip out of the fridge as soon as the fast ends. » [How to Make Pre-Yom Kippur Kreplach (Dumplings) From Scratch]( » [Why Do We Eat Two Meals Before Yom Kippur?]( 7 Get the Fast Start and End Times This year, Yom Kippur starts before sundown on Tuesday, Oct. 4, and ends the following evening, Wednesday, October 5, after night has fallen. Make sure to take note of the times the fast starts and ends in your area. » [Yom Kippur Start & End Time]( 8 Give Extra Charity The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are an opportune time to return to G-d and strengthen our connection to Him. One way to do this is through caring for His children. Donate to a charity of your choice, especially one that provides holiday foods and other essentials for those in need. » [15 Tzedakah Facts Every Jew Should Know]( 9 Print Up Reading Material Twenty-five hours is a long time. Make sure you are well stocked with essays, stories, and more to keep occupied, alert, and inspired. » [Yom Kippur Essays]( | [Stories]( | [Q&A]( 10 Kapparot Early in the morning before Yom Kippur, it is customary to perform Kapparot, either with a chicken, which is then slaughtered and donated to the poor, or with money, which is similarly designated for charity. » [Print the Kapparot Text in English and Hebrew]( 11 Set Out Your Candles Even though no meals are held, Yom Kippur is a holiday, and our tables are draped in white, and holiday candles are lit right before the onset of the fast with a special blessing (we also light 24-hour candles, [which you can read about here](. » [Yom Kippur Candle Blessings]( » [When to Light Yom Kippur Candles]( 12 Take a Quiz Found everything you need, and feel ready for an inspiring Yom Kippur? Take our quiz to see how well you know this special day. » [Take the Yom Kippur Quiz]( 13 Get Your Sukkot Supplies The joyous holiday of Sukkot comes just 5 days after Yom Kippur. Now is the time to make sure that you will have a lulav and etrog to wave and a sukkah to dwell in. » [How to Select the Best Lulav and Etrog]( » [How to Build (or Buy) a Sukkah]( For all your Yom Kippur needs, visit: [www.YomKippur.org]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Chabad.org]( This email was sent to: [{EMAIL}](#) [Change email address]( · [Manage Subscriptions]( · [Unsubscribe]( [Chabad.org]( · [Ask the Rabbi]( · [Contact Us]( · [Donate]( · [Privacy Policy]( © Copyright [Chabad.org]( · 770 Eastern Parkway Suite 405 · Brooklyn, NY 11213