Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement Purpose. The principal object of the Day of Atonement is repentance. This is brought about by a sincere desire to recognize sins, to confess, to express regret, and to be prepared to abandon the path of wrongdoing. In accordance with the biblical instruction, "You shall afflict your souls" (Leviticus 23: 23--32), the day is characterized by abstinence from all food and drink (and other forms of pleasure). This "affliction" lasts from sunset on the eve of the Day of Atonement until the beginning of the night of the following day. Date. The Fast of the Day of Atonement commences on the eve of 10th Tishri at sunset and terminates at nightfall on the eve of 11th Tishri. Services in the synagogue. There are five services during the day: Kol Nidrei, Morning, Additional, and Afternoon servics, and Neilah. The following notes indicate some of the most impressive parts of the service. Kol Nidrei - The evening service of the Day of Atonement is preceded by the chanting of Kol Nidrei (Lit. - "All vows") prayer, being a formal abrogation of all vows made during the past year. This affects only the obligations of man towards God but not those towards his fellow. The history of the text and the melody is clouded in mystery. Some scholars believe they derive from the period of the persecution of Jews in early medieval Spain. Vidui - "Confession." The ritual of the day is replete with petitions for forgiveness for sins. A list of confessions - Vidui - is recited, and prayers for pardon appear throughout the Yom Kippur service. According to Jewish teaching, the Day of Atonement brings forgiveness only for those sins committed against God. Transgressions committed against others must first be forgiven by the person who has been wronged. Avodah - (Lit. "Service"). Avodah is part of the Musaph or Additional service and is a record of the impressive ritual of Temple days when the High Priest alone entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple on this most solemn day. The climax of this part of the service is the threefold prayer for atonement recited by the High Priest, invoking the otherwise unuttered name of God. In reciting this section of the Avodah, the congregation falls on their knees in total submission to the Name and glory of God. Ne'ilah - "Closure." The afternoon service is followed by Ne'ilah, a collection of prayers which are invested with special significance. The ark remains open throughout this part of the service and the shofar is blown at its termination.