Israel at standstill for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Sun., September 23, 2007 ,

Israel Time: 06:02 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Print Edition

Diplomacy

Defense

Arts & Leisure

Real Estate

Jewish World

National

Advertising

Magazine

Week's End

Business

Opinion

Rosner's Domain

Anglo File

Books

Travel



		Children cycling through a vehicle-free Tel Aviv street Saturday, the day of Yom Kippur. (Haaretz)

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Last update - 16:49 22/09/2007

Israel at standstill for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar

By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press

Israel came to a virtual standstill at sundown Friday and throughout Saturday as Jews across the country observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Stores closed early Friday, and the airwaves were filled with liturgical Hebrew music leading up to the contemplative Day of Atonement, when tradition says divine judgment of Jews is sealed and their fate is decided for the coming year.

Traffic in Israeli cities and on major highways was at a near halt. Instead, the streets were filled with cyclists and pedestrians enjoying the annual experience of vehicle-free roads.

	Advertisement

Jews across the world fast and pray in synagogues as they seek forgiveness for their actions in the past year. Ahead of the holiday, Jews traditionally ask for forgiveness for any offense they might have committed.

Even though most Israelis aren't Orthodox, most fast on Yom Kippur. The holiday is the only day of the year when all Israeli radio and TV broadcasts go off the air. While business continues as usual in Arab towns, shops and cafes in Jewish cities are closed, planes at the airport are grounded, and all public transportation is suspended.

Fearing Palestinian terrorist attacks, the Israel Defense Forces military imposed a closure on the West Bank on Friday for the duration of the holiday. The closure, which keeps Palestinians from entering Israel, blocked thousands of Palestinians from reaching Jerusalem for Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Scuffles were reported at checkpoints around Jerusalem, but no serious violence.

Yom Kippur will end at sundown Saturday in each synagogue with a blast on the shofar, the traditional Jewish ram's horn.

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Carmel pleasures
	Sweet olives, Sauvignon and Merlot: touring in the footsteps of Baron Rothschild.


	Subduing artists
	If MK Orlev cannot beat the 'leftists, ' he can at least make their lives miserable.




1.	Evening check list	01:31	\|	Mark Lincoln	22/09/07

2.	Atonement Checklist	03:10	\|	Ben Pro-semite	22/09/07

3.	#2	04:52	\|	FYM	22/09/07

4.	Ben Pro-Semite	04:57	\|	Mark Lincoln	22/09/07

5.	Peace and quiet	08:15	\|	Palestinian Brit	22/09/07

6.	Kudos to Ben	09:01	\|	Jay	22/09/07

7.	To Palestinian Brit # 5	10:22	\|	Dolly	22/09/07

8.	Where is the forgiveness for zionist murderers?	11:32	\|	Hannah	22/09/07

9.	Peace and Quiet - Dolly	13:39	\|	Palestinian Brit	22/09/07

10.	Peace or Piece?	14:39	\|	Al	22/09/07

11.	Anti-semites` Checklist	15:15	\|	German	22/09/07

12.	#11 German	15:52	\|	Mark B.	22/09/07

13.	Yom Kippur: A day to contemplate Hanukkah.	16:04	\|	Virginia	22/09/07

14.	Palestinian Brit	16:09	\|	Matt	22/09/07

15.	Hamas or Israel....not much difference to us.	16:39	\|	Palestinian Brit	22/09/07

16.	World Car Free Day is 22nd Sept	17:48	\|	Environmentista	22/09/07

17.	The LAND,	18:48	\|	Joe	22/09/07

18.	Yom Kippur over	19:07	\|	Palestinian Brit	22/09/07

19.	Gmar Chatimah Tova	19:45	\|	Danite	22/09/07

20.	PalBrit	19:58	\|	Settler Babe	22/09/07

21.	Settler babe	21:37	\|	Palestinian Brit	22/09/07

22.	Yom Kippur is NOT over; What a beautiful sweet day!!!	04:16	\|	Virginia	23/09/07

23.	#18, Palestinian Brit...	05:19	\|	Silvienne	23/09/07

24.	#7, Dolly...	05:22	\|	Silvienne	23/09/07

25.	Mark Lincoln...	05:35	\|	Silvienne	23/09/07

Today Online


	N.Y. Mayor: Columbia can ask Ahmadinejad to speak, I won't attend
	Responses: 604


	For the first time, Iran directly confronts Israel on nuclear arms
	Responses: 434


	M.J. Rosenberg: U.S. pro-Israel lobby is not always good for Israel
	Responses: 199


	Report: Israel, U.S. shared Syria-N. Korea nuclear intelligence
	Responses: 101


	Kadima members disagree over how to divide J'lem
	Responses: 138


	Israeli in Lebanon under investigation on espionage charges
	Responses: 127

Rosner's Domain

* Blog/poll: The most daring experiment in Jewish history

* WTR: Syria's strategic arsenal of weapons

* The court decided: Menachem was born in Jerusalem, but not in Israel

* Guest: Iraq has diverted our attention from our war on terrorism

More Headlines
05:24 Report: IDF seized nuclear material before Syria air strike


04:16 U.S. expected to invite Syria, Lebanon to Mideast peace summit


05:45 Arab, Jewish groups to petition High Court against town admission panels


03:58 Gillerman: Ahmadinejad visiting Ground Zero like Hitler visiting Auschwitz


03:02 Argentina said to ask Iran to cooperate with probe of 1994 Jewish center attack


01:57 Explosives belt designated for holiday attack found in Tel Aviv apartment


04:59 Police, Justice Ministry refusing to investigate officers for perjury


20:55 Israeli in Lebanon under investigation in muder case and on espionage charges