E-mail This Article Yom Kippur is the holiest day for Jews and involves 25 hours of abstaining from food, water and electricity among other things.

Jews typically spend the day at the synagogue, praying and asking forgiveness for their sins. Because the holiday is a time for reflection, many Jewish students choose not to attend class, said Lauren Palay, president of Hillel.

In addition to 25 hours of fasting - from an hour before sundown Sunday evening until sundown today - Jews observing Yom Kippur should not work or use electricity until sundown, Goodman said. They are also prohibited from bathing, wearing leather, make up and jewelry and having sex.

"By abstaining from many of the amenities of modern life - food, water, electricity - it allows the mental focus needed for soulful reflection on atoning for sins between God and oneself," he said.

Her brother, architecture senior Brian Palay, said that although his professor was OK with him missing class, he will still have to e-mail an assignment.

Psychology junior Rachel Zaidman said she was able to move an exam from Monday to Thursday and will also take the day off from women's rowing practice.

She said Yom Kippur is especially symbolic for her this year because she recently transferred to the University from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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