History of Yom Kippur, Facts and Educational Resources

Yom Kippur History, Facts
and Educational Resources

Add an educational twist to any birthday party, holiday celebration, or theme party. Share the history of the Yom Kippur theme to the guests. Play some free printable educational party games. Shhh don't tell the kids that they are learning!

Yom Kippur History & Facts

The Day of Atonement, which is Yom Kippur, is one of the holiest days for Jewish people, and the history of this day begins in ancient times. Most of the Jewish holidays involve feasting, but this day encourages fasting. Young boys and girls, under 13 and 12, respectively, are not required to fast.

There is a 25-hour period of intense prayer, and fasting from sunup to sundown. This time is often spent at the synagogue observing services for the holy day.

Yom Kippur takes place in the month of Tishrei on the tenth day. The Book of Life, it is believed holds the fate of each person for the coming year, on Rosh Hashanah, and the verdict is sealed on Yom Kippur. Before this, during the Days of Awe, the Jewish people attempt to amend their behavior and ask for forgiveness for any wrong doings against God or other human beings. The evening of this holy day is set up for petitions and confessing of guilt. At Yom Kippur�s end, it is believed that they are absolved by God.

The prayer services consist of five, rather than the usual three, services. They include public confessions, as well as a unique prayer for the holy service. Even Jews who do not observe their religious holidays usually observe this one as a High Holiday, and may even attend synagogue services. And some fast, as well.

The word Yom Kippur is broken up to mean the �day� (Yom) �to cover� or �to hide (Kippur). Another meaning is �to obliterate sin.� The eve of Yom Kippur is celebrated with two feasts, charity giving, and the asking of others for forgiveness.

There are five more prohibitions, according to the Jewish oral tradition, Mishnah tractate Yoma 8:1, and they are: no eating or drinking; no leather shoes are to be worn; no bathing; no applications of perfumes and lotions, and no marital relations are to take place. The theme of the day is to return to the pristine state by refraining from these everyday things. Decorations help transform a room into something more for that special day so look forward to learning some exciting and creative ideas. If you specify the type of clothing for a social event like summer causal, give a few examples of what is acceptable and more importantly what isn't. Decorations help transform a room into something more for that special day so look forward to learning some exciting and creative ideas. The history of Yom Kippur has a different interpretations by each person. This is general facts about Yom Kippur.

Educational Yom Kippur Resources

The Party Supplies Hut has more free elementary educational teacher resources for Yom Kippur to use in the classroom for active learning to create lesson plans with trivia questions, games and fun activities.

History of Yom Kippur
More Yom Kippur holiday educational teachers classroom resources: