Tzom Kal: Yom Kippur Begins Friday at Sunset

When Yom Kippur begins at Sundown on Friday, Jewish people around the world will begin to observe the holiest day of the year in their religion.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau, Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz were among those in attendance.

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is about to begin, and if you're curious about the meaning behind the holiday, we've got some answers. Yom Kippur starts in the United Kingdom when the sun goes down at about 6.43pm British Standard Time (BST). Israeli police have called in reinforcements, and thousands of officers were deployed across Jerusalem. At the arrival of a new year, Jews engage in a 10-day process of reflection and repentance culminating in Yom Kippur.

The day before the festivity, Jews are encouraged to give to charity, carry out the kapparot ritual and additional prayers.

Challah bread is also eaten in a round loaf to symbolise a circle of life and the new yearHow is it celebrated?

What happens on Yom Kippur?

As one of Europe's oldest and most impressive Jewish buildings, this city's Portuguese Synagogue is known far and wide for its majestic beauty.

This year, Yom Kippur will be particularly sacred because it falls on the Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat.

Yom Kippur includes five prayer serivces: Maariv, with its solemn Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur; Shacharit, the morning prayer; Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple service; Minchah, which includes the reading of the Book of Jonah; and Neilah, the "closing of the gates" service at sunset.

It's a traditional anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and is believed to be a "day of judgement".

NAV AT IT Happy Navratri!