Rosh Hoshana is directly succeeded by Yom Kippur, the day of atonement. This is the day it is believed that God renders judgments for the preceding year's behavior. It is important that sins towards God be dealt with prior to Yom Kippur whereas sins towards humans must be dealt with on a one to one basis. A fast, including avoidance of water, is observed from sundown to sundown the next day. No bath is taken.
Sexual activity is forbidden.
The day is to be spent in prayer in the synagogue. The prayer service for the day follows a unique pattern and the collective sins of the congregation are confessed. Finally, the ending of Yom Kippur is again signaled by the sounding of the shofar. Sukkot is much different in tone from what has preceded. Sukkot is a time of rejoicing with the dual purpose of remembering the Jews wandering in the desert and commemorating the harvest.