Yom Kippur Prayers
גמר חתימה טובה
Here’s a list of prayers and stories for Yom Kippur, divided by topics: vidui (confession), Neilah (closing service), living in holiness, time and death and mourning. Here’s a focused list of prayers for Elul, another one of prayers for Rosh Hashana and one more for Sukkot. And here’s a link to yizkor and memorial prayers.
Vidui (Confession)
Meditations on confession:
- Meditation Before the Yom Kippur Vidui – On preparing the heart and the mind for a thorough and honest confession. (http://bit.ly/ntTDyS)
- Meditation After the Yom Kippur Vidui – Living differently as a result of a heartfelt confession. (http://bit.ly/nAOoRh)
Neilah (Closing Service)
Prayers as the day ends and our hearts yearn:
- At the Gates – Standing at the gates of prayer, repentence and charity. (http://bit.ly/mUPfV1)
- Meditation before Neilah – What have I left to say to G-d? (http://bit.ly/qtYp2x)
Living in Holiness
These prayers and meditations examine living a life of holiness, focusing on attributes (like humility) and practices (listening for G-d’s voice, doing G-d’s will):
- For Wonder and Awe – To put aside vain pursuits and to seek G-d as my Holy Shelter. (http://bit.ly/9kw4m4)
- The Path of Righteousness – The path of righteousness is paved with questions. (http://bit.ly/9oYoGr)
- G-d’s Plan: An Introspection – A prayer/poem about surrendering to G-d’s will. (http://bit.ly/mJoe4B)
Time
Prayers about the holiness of time and declaring that the moment of truth has come:
- The Season of Healing – The Yamim Noraim heal our souls and our lives. Today we accept that healing. http://tinyurl.com/25s2lss)
- The Season of Return – During the Yamim Noraim we prepare for t’shuva. Today we return to G-d. (http://bit.ly/dzMzJr)
Death and Mourning
For an annotated list of Memorial and Yizkor prayers, click here or use this link: http://bit.ly/nb7z7o. Here are three prayers about preparing for death:
- Near the End: A Meditation – On preparing for the journey of death with grace and dignity, awe and wonder. (http://bit.ly/fvkK3g)
- Remember – Whatever our fears, this is a call back to our deepest sense of peace and well-being. (http://bit.ly/crn85L)
- Things Break – Each day we face the flow of endings and beginnings. G-d’s love remains. (http://bit.ly/gcX3V0)
Story
“Cantor Cohen” is a Yom Kippur story of a Chazzan preparing to lead his congregation in prayer, repentance and righteousness. (http://bit.ly/blDniD)
Click here for the full list of prayers for the Yamim Noraim, listed by topics. Here’s a focused list of prayers for Elul, another one of prayers for Rosh Hashana and one more for Sukkot. And here’s a link to yizkor and memorial prayers.
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