Why the closing prayers of Judaism’s holiest holiday focus on repairing relationships with each other

A central theme of the High Holidays – and Judaism itself – is that to do right by God, people must first do right by each other.

By: Reuven Kimelman, Brandeis University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 18, 2026

Words: 982

Last Updated: 4 hours, 28 minutes ago

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By Reuven Kimelman, Brandeis University

Each Passover, as Jewish families start the Seder meal, a child asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

And each Yom Kippur, as worshippers attend the last prayers of the day, they might well ask: “Why is this closing service different from all other services?”

The Book of Life

Throughout the High Holidays, the 10-day period that begins with Rosh Hashanah and ends with Yom Kippur, …

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