What is Yom Kippur? What time does Yom Kippur 2025 fast begin?

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest date on the Jewish calendar — a 25-hour period of fasting, prayer, and deep reflection. The fast begins at sunset and concludes after nightfall, with exact times varying by city across the globe. For observant Jews, this sacred time is devoted to repentance, forgiveness, and renewal. In Israel, it is also marked by near-total silence on the roads, as traffic comes to a halt and streets turn into pathways for families and children cycling freely.

In Jerusalem, the fast begins at 5:44 P.M. and ends at 6:59 P.M. In Tel Aviv, it runs from 6:04 P.M. to 7:01 P.M.; in Be’er Sheva, from 6:06 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.; and in Haifa, from 5:55 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Across the world, Jews gather in synagogues and homes for the same purpose. In New York City, the fast stretches from 6:19 P.M. to 7:16 P.M.; in Miami, from 6:49 P.M. to 7:40 P.M.; in Los Angeles, from 6:19 P.M. to 7:13 P.M.; and in Washington D.C., from 6:32 P.M. to 7:28 P.M. Toronto marks it from 6:40 P.M. to 7:38 P.M. In Europe, Paris observes the fast between 7:11 P.M. and 8:14 P.M., London between 6:20 P.M. and 7:25 P.M., and Berlin from 6:25 P.M. to 7:31 P.M. In the Southern Hemisphere, Melbourne observes from 6:06 P.M. to 7:05 P.M., Buenos Aires from 6:39 P.M. to 7:39 P.M., and Johannesburg from 5:50 P.M. to 6:43 P.M.

While these times provide structure to the ritual, the heart of Yom Kippur lies in something more enduring: the act of atonement and the pursuit of kindness.

A Personal Encounter with Radical Kindness

This past summer, during a hospital stay brought on by illness, I experienced this essence of Yom Kippur firsthand. Feeling isolated and anxious, I reached out to one of my former students, Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn, who now serves as a chaplain. Within moments, she appeared at my bedside. She held my hand, asked permission to pray, and spoke words of comfort that moved me to tears. It was in that instant that my student became my rabbi.

Her presence, rooted in deep compassion, reminded me that healing is not only in medicine but also in human connection. That moment crystallized the concept of radical kindness — a form of care that transcends routine niceties and touches the very soul.

The Urgency of Kindness in Divided Times

Today, the Jewish community — like much of the world — faces fractures. Antisemitism grows louder, families are divided over politics, and debates about Israel’s future often sever friendships and strain communities. Where unity once surged in the aftermath of October 7, divisions now cut deeper, silencing dialogue and eroding trust.

Yet our tradition offers an answer. The Psalmist tells us: “Olam chesed yibaneh” — the world is built on loving-kindness (Psalms 89:3). The Talmud teaches that God, in His abundant mercy (rav chesed), tilts the scales toward kindness, seeing humanity not for its flaws but for its potential. This is the model we are called to follow: to tip our own scales toward compassion, even when it is difficult.

The Practice of Radical Kindness

In her book Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving, Angela Santomero, a student of Fred Rogers, describes radical kindness as a discipline — the choice to be unconditionally kind, always and to everyone. The Torah and Talmud echo this wisdom, reminding us that kindness is not just a virtue but a spiritual practice that requires training.

Practical steps help ground this teaching:

• Become a “Heart-Seer.” Pay radical attention to others with patience and respect.

• Step into another’s shoes. Respond with empathy, even in heated moments.

  
  
  

• Be kind to yourself. Without inner strength, kindness to others cannot endure.

• Act on kindness. Do not simply talk about compassion; embody it in gestures big and small.

At Maharat, I encourage students to embrace radical kindness, even when they disagree, by focusing on their shared mission. Forgiveness, listening, and empathy are the tools that sustain community.

Yom Kippur’s Call

As the shofar sounds and ushers in a new year, we are invited to leave behind narrowness and step into expansiveness. Yom Kippur challenges us not only to atone but to rebuild the world with acts of kindness.

The lesson is clear: bricks and mortar may construct buildings, but it is kindness — chesed — that builds communities. Gesture by gesture, moment by moment, we tip the scales toward compassion and join God in the sacred work of renewal.

This Yom Kippur, as fasts are observed across time zones and continents, may we remember that what unites us is not just the hours without food, but the timeless power of radical kindness to heal, to reconcile, and to transform.

FAQ Section

Q1: What is Yom Kippur?
A: Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in Judaism. It is observed with prayer, fasting, and reflection on one’s actions over the past year.

Q2: How long does the Yom Kippur fast last?
A: The fast lasts approximately 25 hours, beginning at sunset and ending at nightfall the following day.

Q3: What are the Yom Kippur 2025 fast start and end times in major cities?
A: In Jerusalem, the fast runs from 5:44 P.M. to 6:59 P.M. In New York, it begins at 6:19 P.M. and ends at 7:16 P.M. Times vary by location across the globe.

Q4: Why is traffic restricted in Israel during Yom Kippur?
A: Out of respect for the solemnity of the day, traffic largely comes to a halt, making streets unusually quiet, with many using the opportunity to cycle or walk freely.

Q5: What is “radical kindness” in Jewish thought?
A: Radical kindness, rooted in the concept of rav chesed (abundant kindness), emphasizes compassion, empathy, and healing divisions within communities and beyond.

Q6: How can Yom Kippur inspire radical kindness?
A: The themes of forgiveness and reflection encourage people not only to seek atonement but also to practice kindness in daily life, strengthening families, communities, and society.