How is this solemn period in the calendar reflected in Jewish custom?

• The term "king" is inserted into various blessings found in the regular prayers.
• Petitions for mercy and inscription in the Book of Life are also added in the Amidah (standing) prayer.
• The Avinu Malkeinu prayer is added to the daily prayers. This a litany of 22 petitions, the source of which is ascribed to the renowned Rabbi Akiva (50-135 CE). It is recited daily (except Shabbat).
• Special penitential prayers, selichot, are intoned early in the morning before the morning prayers.
• The word le'eylah, signifying "exaltation" in Hebrew, is repeated in the well-known prayer, the Kaddish.

Of course, one does not only have to resort to fixed prayers and customs. This is the time to spend more energy devoted to good deeds of all sorts, from the study of Jewish texts to helping one's fellows. The very devout also undertake personal fasts during this period.

After the capture of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, Gedaliah, the son of Achikam, was appointed by the Babylonians as governor of the impoverished remnant in Judah. Members of Gedaliah's family (a prominent family of scribes) had previously held prestigious positions in that kingdom and, apparently, they followed a policy of submission to the new rulers.

Nevertheless, Gedaliah and those who surrounded him, who had not been exiled after the destruction of the First Temple, marked the last remaining vestment of Jewish life in Eretz Yisrael. At that time, however, the king of the Ammonites, attempting to weaken Babylon influence in the region, sent a Jew by the name of Yishmael ben Netaniah to assassinate Gedaliah. Several thousand Jews (and Babylonians) living in the center at Mizpeh were also murdered. A few survivors were able to flee and to take the prophet Jeremiah with them to Egypt, to avoid possible, unjustified, repercussions at the hands of the Babylonian rulers.

To mark this tragic end to Jewish autonomy and settlement in the Land of Israel, the "Fast of the Seventh [Month]" was proclaimed in the prophetic writings (Zecharia 7:5). According to tradition, this occurs on the third of Tishrei.

Shabbat Shuvah
The Shabbat that falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuva [lit. "The Shabbat of Returning"] after the words Shuva Yisrael which appear in the extra prophetic reading in the synagogue on that Shabbat.

In most congregations in Israel and the Diaspora, it is customary for the rabbi to address the congregation on this Shabbat and to arouse an atmosphere of accounting for both individual and communal actions. The rabbi usually includes himself in the exhortations, in the spirit of the words of the prophet Hosea "Return, Israel, to the Lord your God...," taken to include even the righteous.

Kapparot
There is an interesting custom that many orthodox Jews practice before Yom Kippur called "Kapparot".

One way to think of this custom is the symbolic transference of one's sins onto an animal (a chicken) which is then slaughtered [vicarious death] and given to the poor. The custom is first recalled in the period of the gaonim of the ninth century and finds its source in the common meanings of the Hebrew root "gever" which can mean both "man" and "cock".

The rabbis have cautioned that one should not think that "kapparot" [lit. "expiation"] atones for misdeeds. Rather, a person is supposed to think of the possible punishments deserved according to the strict letter of the law, and the mercy offered in being spared from them...

The chicken is waved over the head while appropriate verses are read or chanted (see the Yom Kippur prayer book). It is customary to redeem the "kapparot" for money which is then given to the poor. Some people - perhaps the squeamish or those who find it hard to contemplate sacrificial notions - wave money over their heads to the value of 18 (= "life" in Hebrew).

Festive meal. The eve of Yom Kippur is characterized by a solemn yet optimistic mood. It is a mitzvah to eat well before Yom Kippur. Some say that it reflects the joy and relief that the upcoming atonement will offer. Others suggest that besides providing strength for the fast, it replaces the missing festive meal that accompanies all Jewish holidays.

Charity. Since, according to tradition, the merit of charity shields against the evil decree, it is customary to give in a liberal spirit before Yom Kippur.

Immersion in a Mikveh (Ritual Bath). Many pious Jews immerse themselves in a ritual bath before the Day of Atonement in order to enter into the penitent spirit in as "pure" a manner as possible.

The Final Meal. The last meal before the fast is concluded while it is still day (not less than half hour before sunset). It is customary not to partake of fish or intoxicating drinks at this meal.

Last Preparations for the Day of Atonement. We honor the festival with festive clothing and a Shabbat atmosphere in the house. The candles are lit with two blessings: "...lehadlik ner shel shabbat veyom kippur" and "...shecheyanu vekiymanu vehigianu lazman hazeh" which respectively usher in the (Shabbat - this year) and festival and express our gratitude at reaching this auspicious occasion.

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