The holiday ends the 10-day period known as Days of Teshuvah, which is variously translated as repentance, return and change, and the Days of Awe.

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The name of the holiday translates from Hebrew to English as the Day of Atonement, and Jewish people may spend the day fasting, attending synagogue or observing the holiday in other ways. It follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

The Jewish High Holidays end with Yom Kippur, widely regarded as the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Also called the Day of Atonement, the holiday is an opportunity for to seek repentance and reconciliation with God.