Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. It is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection. Many traditions and customs surround Yom Kippur, making it a rich source of riddles and puzzles. Here are 99 riddles about Yom Kippur with the answers provided.
Riddles about Fasting on Yom Kippur
Fasting is one of the main observances of Yom Kippur. Here are some riddles about fasting on this holy day.
Riddle 1
I’m the thing you do without from sundown to sundown. What am I?
Answer: Eating
Riddle 2
We abstain from this act for 25 hours to purify our bodies and souls. What is it?
Answer: Eating and drinking
Riddle 3
During this holiday, observant Jews go without food or ______ for an entire day.
Answer: Water
Riddle 4
On Yom Kippur we fast with our _______ and our _______. Fill in the blanks.
Answer: Stomachs and souls
Riddle 5
I am invisible, yet essential to survive the fast. Breathing me in nourishes your body on this holy day. What am I?
Answer: Air
Riddles about Prayer on Yom Kippur
Prayer and repentance are central to observing Yom Kippur. See if you can solve these riddles about prayer.
Riddle 1
We recite this prayer repeatedly on Yom Kippur, beating our chests as we confess our sins.
Answer: Al Chet
Riddle 2
During this emotional prayer, we symbolically cast away our sins into a body of water.
Answer: Tashlich
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur is the only day we recite this five-part confessional prayer in its entirety.
Answer: Viddui
Riddle 4
Observant Jews spend much of the Day of Atonement engaged in this act of worship.
Answer: Prayer
Riddle 5
During this prayer, we prostrate ourselves completely before God, kneeling and bowing on the floor.
Answer: Aleinu
Riddles about Repentance on Yom Kippur
Repenting for sins and seeking forgiveness are key themes of Yom Kippur. Try to solve these riddles about repentance.
Riddle 1
Jewish tradition says that sincere repentance, prayer and charity can help earn this during Yom Kippur.
Answer: Atonement or forgiveness
Riddle 2
Yom Kippur is a time to reflect on our actions and resolve to make _______________ in the new year.
Answer: Improvements or amends
Riddle 3
It is customary to seek this from friends and family you have wronged in the past year.
Answer: Forgiveness
Riddle 4
Sincere ____________ is said to secure atonement on Yom Kippur more than punishment or suffering.
Answer: Repentance
Riddle 5
Jewish tradition encourages granting this to those who sincerely repent their misdeeds against you.
Answer: Forgiveness
Riddles about the Synagogue on Yom Kippur
These riddles cover customs and rituals related to the synagogue on Yom Kippur.
Riddle 1
During this prayer, the doors of the ark containing the Torah scrolls are kept open.
Answer: Kol Nidre
Riddle 2
We dress in this color on Yom Kippur to symbolize purity, remorse and mortality.
Answer: White
Riddle 3
This important Yom Kippur ritual symbolizes our purity and remorse before God.
Answer: Wearing white clothing
Riddle 4
It is forbidden to wear this luxury item made of leather on Yom Kippur.
Answer: Shoes
Riddle 5
During this somber Torah service, the scrolls are dressed in white as a sign of mourning.
Answer: Kol Nidre
Riddles about Rituals and Customs on Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur features many unique rituals and customs. See if you can decipher what these riddles describe.
Riddle 1
We symbolically cast away our sins into one of these on the first day of Yom Kippur.
Answer: Body of water or river/lake/ocean
Riddle 2
During this ritual, we circle the synagogue carrying the Torah scrolls.
Answer: Hakafot
Riddle 3
It is customary to wear this item of clothing inside out on Yom Kippur as a symbol of repentance.
Answer: Shirt or jacket
Riddle 4
We traditionally eat this before the fast starts to prepare for 25 hours without food or water.
Answer: Big/festive meal
Riddle 5
Families commonly light this throughout Yom Kippur as part of the holiday rituals.
Answer: Yahrzeit candle or memorial candle
Riddles about Breaking the Yom Kippur Fast
These riddles cover customs surrounding the celebratory feast when the Yom Kippur fast ends.
Riddle 1
It is customary to eat this dairy food to gently break the 25-hour fast.
Answer: Challah with honey
Riddle 2
We commonly break the fast by eating a meal of dairy foods like blintzes and this baked good.
Answer: Cheesecake
Riddle 3
This round raisin-filled pastry is a popular food for breaking the fast.
Answer: Rugelach
Riddle 4
At this celebratory meal after fasting, it is customary to wear festive white clothing again.
Answer: Break-fast
Riddle 5
No matter what dishes are served, this mood pervades the break-fast feast.
Answer: Celebration/joy/happiness
Riddles about Dates and Duration of Yom Kippur
Do you know what time of year Yom Kippur takes place and how long it lasts? Solve these riddles to find out.
Riddle 1
Yom Kippur always occurs on this day of the Jewish calendar.
Answer: 10th day of Tishrei
Riddle 2
In the Gregorian calendar, Yom Kippur usually falls in the month of ___________.
Answer: September or October
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur lasts for exactly this many hours.
Answer: 25 hours
Riddle 4
Yom Kippur goes from sundown to sundown, spanning one full _________.
Answer: Day
Riddle 5
Because Yom Kippur lasts 25 hours, we observe ___________ during the holiday to symbolize our devotion.
Answer: Two sunsets/two nightfalls
Riddles about Restrictions on Yom Kippur
In addition to fasting, Yom Kippur features other prohibitions. See if you can guess what activities are restricted.
Riddle 1
Out of respect for the holiday, observant Jews refrain from this recreational computer activity.
Answer: Using the internet/watching TV/listening to music
Riddle 2
On Yom Kippur, we minimize daily routines and comforts, including this hygienic activity.
Answer: Bathing/washing
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur is spent in prayer and contemplation. Activities like driving and handling money are ________.
Answer: Prohibited/forbidden
Riddle 4
Adults are expected to avoid this pleasure on the solemn Day of Atonement.
Answer: Sexual relations/intimacy
Riddle 5
Leather shoes are not worn on Yom Kippur because leather represents this forbidden luxury.
Answer: Wealth/material comforts
Riddles about Children and Yom Kippur
Not everyone needs to adhere to all the Yom Kippur restrictions. These riddles cover exceptions for children.
Riddle 1
Out of concern for their health, children below this age are exempt from fasting.
Answer: 13 years old
Riddle 2
Because they have yet to reach religious adulthood, children are not required to fulfill the _________.
Answer: Commandments/mitzvot
Riddle 3
While children often attend services, they are allowed to refrain from this difficult form of prayer.
Answer: Standing/prostrating
Riddle 4
Young children can wear comfortable canvas or sneakers instead of dress shoes because they are not yet ________.
Answer: Adults
Riddle 5
Jewish law exempts children from fasting so they can continue to _______ and _______ throughout Yom Kippur.
Answer: Eat, drink
Riddles about the Significance and Meaning of Yom Kippur
Why do we observe Yom Kippur? What messages does this holiday aim to convey? Test your knowledge with these riddles.
Riddle 1
Yom Kippur reminds us that with sincere repentance, we can earn __________ and _________.
Answer: Forgiveness, atonement
Riddle 2
By fasting and praying, we reflect on our mortality andGive Up _________ pursuits.
Answer: Material/physical
Riddle 3
The white clothes and bare feet signify our _________ before God on Yom Kippur.
Answer: Purity, humbleness
Riddle 4
Yom Kippur represents the spiritual _______ from Rosh Hashanah’s judgment to Sukkot’s joy.
Answer: Journey, passage, transition
Riddle 5
By cleansing ourselves ritually and morally, we hope to __________ for a sweet new year.
Answer: Atone, prepare
Riddles about Greetings for Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur features traditional greetings exchanged before and after the holiday. Can you decode what these riddles describe?
Riddle 1
Before Yom Kippur, we wish others an easy ________ to prepare for the 25-hour fast.
Answer: Fast
Riddle 2
We commonly say this greeting meaning “Have an easy fast” before Yom Kippur.
Answer: Tzom kal
Riddle 3
After the holiday ends, we celebrate by exchanging this greeting meaning “Congratulations on completing the fast!”
Answer: Gemar chatimah tovah
Riddle 4
After the fast, we wish each other this which means “To a good final sealing.”
Answer: Gemar chatimah tovah
Riddle 5
Yom Kippur teaches that with repentance, prayer and charity, we can become _______ before God.
Answer: Purified/cleansed/atoned
Riddles about Yom Kippur in the Bible
Yom Kippur is decreed in the Torah. See if you can solve these biblical riddles about the holiday.
Riddle 1
God commanded Jews to celebrate Yom Kippur in this first book of the Torah.
Answer: Leviticus
Riddle 2
On Yom Kippur, the High Priest performed a special purification ritual in the _________ to atone for the people.
Answer: Holy Temple
Riddle 3
During biblical times, it was customary to sacrifice this animal as an offering on Yom Kippur.
Answer: Goat
Riddle 4
According to Leviticus, those who do not observe Yom Kippur shall be _______ from the people.
Answer: Cut off
Riddle 5
The Torah instructs Jews to ________ themselves on the 10th day of Tishrei each year.
Answer: Afflict/deny themselves
Riddles about Yom Kippur Prayers and Services
Yom Kippur features many special prayers and services. See if you can identify what these riddles describe.
Riddle 1
During this late afternoon service, observant Jews read the entire Book of Jonah.
Answer: Mincha
Riddle 2
Yom Kippur services end with this prayer hoping for Messianic redemption.
Answer: Ne’ilah
Riddle 3
The soul-searching Viddui confessional prayer is recited during all the services, especially this intense one.
Answer: Yizkor, the Memorial Service
Riddle 4
The imagery of this prayer evokes God sealing our fate in the Book of Life.
Answer: Ne’ilah
Riddle 5
During this evening service, worshippers ask God for forgiveness and chant the Kol Nidrei prayer.
Answer: Kol Nidrei
Riddles about Ending the Yom Kippur Fast
How do Jews break the 25-hour fast once Yom Kippur concludes? Solve these riddles to find out.
Riddle 1
It is customary to eat round challah dipped in this sweet topping to break the fast.
Answer: Honey
Riddle 2
We break the fast by first drinking this beverage to rehydrate after fasting.
Answer: Water
Riddle 3
This silver spice holder is often displayed on tables at the break-fast meal.
Answer: Rimonim
Riddle 4
Friends and family gather for a celebratory break-fast dinner following the concluding ________________.
Answer: Neilah service
Riddle 5
It is customary to start the break-fast meal by eating this food made with apples, honey and cinnamon.
Answer: Applesauce
Riddles about Yom Kippur Observances
How do Jews traditionally observe Yom Kippur? Solve these riddles to reveal key customs.
Riddle 1
We traditionally wear ________, which represents purity and our mortality.
Answer: White clothing
Riddle 2
Another observance is foregoing _________, representing the elevation of our souls.
Answer: Leather shoes/footwear
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur features five holiday prayer services, including _______ in the afternoon.
Answer: Mincha
Riddle 4
It is customary to light a(n) _________ candle throughout Yom Kippur.
Answer: Yahrzeit/memorial
Riddle 5
Another key observance is _______________ for 25 hours from food and drink.
Answer: Fasting/afflicting ourselves
Riddles about Yom Kippur’s Themes
Yom Kippur embodies core Jewish values. Can you determine what ideals these riddles point to?
Riddle 1
Yom Kippur teaches the importance of this act, which can earn us forgiveness.
Answer: Repentance/atonement
Riddle 2
The holiday shows reputing over material concerns to focus on this deeper aspect.
Answer: Spirituality
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur highlights our goal of living with this trait, not just on holidays.
Answer: Holiness/purity
Riddle 4
The services and prayers emphasize the value of this relationship with God.
Answer: Closeness
Riddle 5
Yom Kippur teaches us to look within and reflect on how to improve our _________.
Answer: Character/souls
Riddles about Yom Kippur’s Impact
What wisdom and lessons can we glean from Yom Kippur? Solve these riddles to find out.
Riddle 1
Yom Kippur shows us that by sincerely apologizing, we can repair _________ in relationships.
Answer: Harm/mistakes
Riddle 2
The holiday emphasizes atoning through _________ rather than punishment.
Answer: Forgiveness
Riddle 3
Yom Kippur teaches us not to judge others, but to ________ and _________.
Answer: Forgive, improve
Riddle 4
By fasting and praying, we gain _________ into our actions and priorities.
Answer: Insight
Riddle 5
Yom Kippur shows Judaism values reflection and growth through ________ and ________.
Answer: Introspection, repentance
Riddles about Preparing for Yom Kippur
How do Jews get ready for the holy Day of Atonement? Solve these riddles to find out.
Riddle 1
In the month before Yom Kippur, we seek _________ from those we have wronged.
Answer: Forgiveness
Riddle 2
It is customary to visually _________ the house in preparation for the holiday.
Answer: Clean/tidy
Riddle 3
To prepare our souls, we reflect on our ________ and pray for atonement.
Answer: Mistakes/sins
Riddle 4
We spiritually ready ourselves by _________ the shofar daily in the month before.
Answer: Blowing/hearing
Riddle 5
Before Yom Kippur, we seek out people to _________ for hurts we have caused.
Answer: Apologize/ask forgiveness
Riddles about Yom Kippur Conclusion
How does Yom Kippur come to an end? Solve these final riddles to find out.
Riddle 1
Yom Kippur concludes with a long blast of the ________, marking the fast’s end.
Answer: Shofar
Riddle 2
We break the 25-hour fast by feasting at the ___________ meal.
Answer: Break-fast
Riddle 3
With the final Ne’ilah service, we ask that our _________ be sealed for a good year.
Answer: Fate/judgement
Riddle 4
After praying for forgiveness all day, we feel a sense of spiritual _________ at the end.
Answer: Cleanliness/purity/renewal
Riddle 5
The shofar blast marks the ____________, as we transition from repentance to rejoicing.
Answer: End/conclusion of Yom Kippur
