Now what can the possible forms of atonement for an ancient religion like Judaism? To begin with there is a rigorous command or instruction to fast for twenty four hours. The stringent tradition of atonement gets started a half an hour before sundown on the day before the holiday and finish it by eating a large meal after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Jews as part of the atonement or the observation of religious duty on this fateful day happen to abstain from the habits of drinking, washing, and wearing leather shoes. In the country of Israel even it is synonymous to an act of treason if someone is found to eat in public during the fasting period. If this is the situation what does happen with the persons affected with serious ailments? It is in general believed that persons who are seriously affected with illness should not take part in the fast. However, the children are not needed to take part in this rigorous fast. But it is also true that the participants in the fast are allowed to have food at the end. What kind of meal is it? This meal undoubtedly happens to be very special and after the breaking of the fast all wait eagerly for this! To the partakers, the say food is flavored best by hunger making everything delicious! Being persecuted for adhering to the religion of Judaism for centuries, the Israelis have a special love for this religion. This is perceived from their manner of observing these rigid rules and regulations. In the country of Israel at this very time people are found in ample numbers, as a mark of atonement to proceed even farther in abstaining for this holiday. The leading business concerns and commerce houses remain closed and no such transport is perceived on the roads unless it is an emergency. Even the television sets and other electronic gazettes remain closed in most homes.

Now Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is related inseparably with many other festivals of the religion of Judaism like the Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah happens to be the Jewish New Year and is considered to be one of the most important Jewish holidays, closely followed by the Jewish followers in the global spectrum. However the observance of Rosh Hashanah lasts for only two days with beginning on the first day of Tishrei. It is to be noted that this happens to be the commencement of the atonement of ten days called Yamim Noraim, which ends on Yom Kippur. In general there is a conviction among the Jew that on the fateful day of Rosh Hashanah the mankind gets judged and the judgment can be changed depending on the whim of the Almighty. Keeping this in concern the Jews in the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can repent, ask for atonement, and make up for their sins, which can change the Rosh Hashanah judgment. In addition, on the day before the Yom Kippur, known as Erev Yom Kippur, there is a general consideration that it is to be celebrated as a quasi-festival day. Though not in the same status of the imperative religious festivals, through the passage of years it has gained considerable importance and a great number of customs are being observed. Some of them are seeking forgiveness and atonement for any sins one has committed against another and also to return the stolen items. There is a notion of increasing charity, since to the Jews through them the evil decrees shall be repealed. Most of the Jews are found to wear white on Yom Kippur, as it symbolizes the angels and spiritual purity. Jewish men wear a kitel, which is a garment worn when married and when buried. To some through the process of atonement Yom Kippur is the most important of all the Jewish holidays.