what kind of holiday is yom kippur

Yom Kippur is the holiest and most sacred holiday in the Jewish calendar, known as the Day of Atonement. It is a solemn day dedicated to seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with God through fasting, prayer, and repentance. Observed for about 25 hours, Yom Kippur follows the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and marks the end of the Ten Days of Repentance, during which Jews reflect on their actions and ask for divine forgiveness. Traditionally, people abstain from eating, drinking, wearing leather, bathing, and marital relations, and spend much of the day in synagogue services. It is sometimes called the "Sabbath of Sabbaths" and is seen as a spiritual cleansing and a fresh start for the soul.