The Jewish High Holidays end with Yom Kippur, widely considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

This holiday, also called the Day of Atonement, is an opportunity to seek repentance and reconciliation with God.

This year the holiday will be celebrated from sunset on October 11 to nightfall on October 12. Many Jews celebrate the holiday with a 25-hour fast from both food and drink, seeking forgiveness from friends and family before the celebrations begin.

Five prayer services take place on Yom Kippur. The first falls on the eve of the holiday, when the famous Kol Nidre prayer is often recited. That prayer begins with an expression of contrition for any unfulfilled vows and promises made to God during the past year, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The finale of the holiday’s five services falls before sunset the next day. The services end with closing prayers and the blowing of a ceremonial horn known as the shofar, according to Judaism 101.

Many Jews participate in a pre-sunset feast before the fast begins, which often consists of milder and unsalted foods to minimize thirst, according to Chabad.org.

A quick meal after the final Yom Kippur service can include eggs, bagels and salty dishes such as herring dishes and smoked salmon, according to Bon Appetit. Even Jews who do not celebrate other holidays will often take time off work and attend services to mark the holiday, according to the American Jewish Committee.

Traditions also vary between sects of Judaism: Orthodox Jews forbid wearing leather shoes and anointing yourself with oil during Yom Kippur, and often wear white robes called kittel, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.