Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with about 25 hours of fasting and intensive prayer, spending most of the day in synagogue services.    Among secular Jews, the High Holy Days are the rare times of the year during which they attend synagogue, which causes attendance to soar. Some Christian churches also observe Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is a legal holiday in Israel. There are no radio or television broadcasts, public transportation including airports, and all shops and businesses are closed.

It is also the anniversary of the 1973 surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria, which launched the Yom Kippur War.