Every religion has a day, week or month that is considered the holiest of the year.
On these ten days, Jewish people prepare themselves for the coming of a new year by atoning for sins committed in the past year. Atonement is a complicated process that involves, among other things, repentance, asking forgiveness from others, a commitment to change harmful habits, increased charity and prayer. To focus more completely on prayer during the holiest of Hebrew days, Yom Kippur, Jewish people take part in a 24-hour fast so that their mind, body and soul may be free from the distraction of physical desires. This fast begins at sunset the day before Yom Kippur and ends at the next sunset. This particular mitzvah involves eating a delicious, sustaining meal that will prepare the body for the coming fast.