Hi! I just started the conversion process, and I want to know what I can expect for Yom Kippur next week? What should I do? Is there a different dress code? How will the service be different from Shabbat service? (I already have a ticket to kol nidre, so if you could explain what that is that would be great)
Hi there! What a great question. I hope that you don’t mind that I made this public so that others can learn!
Liturgically, you will notice many similarities between an Erev Yom Kippur / Kol Nidre service and a Kabalat Shabbat evening Service. In both, we recite the Barchu, the Maariv Aravim, the Ahavat Olam, the Shema and V’ahavta, Mi Chamocha, Hashkivenu, the Amidah (Avot v’Imahot, G’vurot, etc), probably a Mi Shaberach, the Aleinu, and the Mourner’s Kaddish.
The normal poems recited for Kabbalat Shabbat (like Lecha Dodi) are not recited during evening Yom Kippur services as we are not welcoming Shabbat. Although this is a special Yom Kippur this year because it collides with Shabbat, we still will not use the Kabalat Shabbat liturgy.
During the High Holidays, we include several special poems and prayers including Unatana Tokef (music), Vidui / Confession / Al Chet (Ashamnu Music), Avinu Malkenu (music), and the big moment of the evening Yom Kippur service: the poem Kol Nidre (music). During this BIG moment in the beginning of the somber day, the Torahs are held before the Congregation and the poem is recited three times.
You will also notice that most of the prayers will sound different than on a typical Shabbat evening. In Jewish prayer leading, we have what we call different “modes” of nusach (the music used to recite the prayers) for different occasions. On the High Holidays, they are sung in mainly a minor key to reflect the somberness of these days. Additionally, you will hear this niggun (wordless chant) throughout the holidays.
Here is a great melody of some High Holiday favorites from Congregation Kol Ami out in West Hollywood, California!
Dress: Although people often dress up for Shabbat, people REALLY dress up for the High Holidays. For instance, as a man, I typically wear a polo and khakis to Kabbalat Shabbat services - but I always will wear a suit on the High Holidays. You will often see many folks wearing white as well.
Traditionally, Yom Kippur evening services are the one time of the year in which we are supposed to wear talitot.
I hope that this helps! If not, feel free to keep asking questions!
PJ
