Why the closing prayers of Judaism’s holiest holiday focus on repairing relationships with each other

Each Passover, Jewish families begin the Seder meal with a child asking, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” Similarly, each Yom Kippur, worshippers attending the final prayers of the day may wonder: “Why is this closing service different from all other services?” During the High Holidays, a 10-day period beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, Jews pray to be “inscribed” in the Book of Life, granting them life, livelihood, health, and moral growth in the upcoming year.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is dedicated to reflection, fasting, and repairing relationships with others, ultimately leading to reconciliation with God. According to Jewish tradition, the Book of Life is sealed during the fifth and final service, encapsulating the fate of each individual for the year to come. This final service, called “Ne'ilah,” or “the closing,” reflects the idea that the gates of heaven are closing, mirroring the gates of the ancient Temple in Jerusalem.

Ne'ilah prayers are recited at day's end, enhancing the atmosphere with the presence of the Torah ark, which remains open until sunset. The Ne'ilah service emphasizes the importance of repairing relationships with others as a means to mend the relationship with God. The confessional prayer, recited up to 10 times throughout the day, focuses on ethical sins, such as abusive speech, and highlights the interconnectedness of human and divine relationships.

As each person seeks forgiveness for their sins, they are reminded that to be forgiven by God, they must first make amends with those they have wronged. The Ne'ilah service employs a unique prayer focusing on the sin of fraud, urging individuals to return what is owed to others – emotionally, spiritually, and materially. This prayer begins with God's outstretched hand, inviting penitents to return stolen goods to their rightful owners.

However, the service also conveys that God cannot extend his hand until the sinner has reconciled with those they have harmed. Judaism teaches that God will not forgive a sin if the offender has not made restitution to the person they wronged. Leading up to Yom Kippur, Jews are encouraged to ask for forgiveness from one another, addressing the ways they may have transgressed in the past year.

Rather than focusing on punishment, Ne'ilah service aims to inspire repentance by celebrating the inherent value and potential of humanity, as beings created in God's image. By acknowledging their capacity for repentance, individuals are encouraged to live up to their divine nature and strive for righteousness, both before others and before God.