"Last week, we covered Eid ul-Fitr," Ghanima began as people began taking their seats today. "However, this isn't only a holy time of year for Islam. Today is Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, which is one of the holiest days of the year for the Hebrew people. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with an approximately 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days."

"Yom Kippur is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a "book" on Rosh Hashanah and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During the Days of Awe, a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God, known as bein adam leMakom, and against other human beings, or bein adam lechavero," she continued, pronunciation perfect. "The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers one's self absolved by God."

"Now, Leviticus 23:27 decrees that Yom Kippur is a strict day of rest and of fasting," Ghanima said, moving to write on the board. "Five additional prohibitions are traditionally observed, as detailed in the Jewish oral tradition; Mishnah tractate Yoma 8:1."

1. No eating and drinking
2. No wearing of leather shoes
3. No bathing or washing
4. No anointing oneself with perfumes or lotions
5. No marital -- or non-marital sexual -- relations

"Total abstention from food and drink usually begins 30 minutes before sundown," she noted as she turned back to the class, "and ends after nightfall the following day. Although the fast is required of all healthy adults, it is waived in the case of certain medical conditions. Now, virtually all Jewish holidays involve a ritual feast, but since Yom Kippur involves fasting, Jewish law requires one to eat a large and festive meal on the afternoon before Yom Kippur, after the Mincha afternoon prayer. Wearing white clothing, and for men a Kittel, is traditional to symbolize one’s purity on this day."

"Today I'd like us to discuss the concepts of atonement and repentance as a group, and once class is over, I ask that you use the rest of the day for self-reflection. Last week was about joy and goodwill towards your fellow man; today is about being a better person."

[the ocd is in the house!]