Yom Kippur in 2017: Key dates
Yom Kippur in 2017 began at sunset on October 1 and ended at nightfall on October 2. It was observed on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the year 5778. In 2017, this translated to early October in the Gregorian calendar, consistent with the annual scheduling of Yom Kippur on the same Hebrew date each year.
How Yom Kippur dates are determined
Yom Kippur is fixed on the Hebrew calendar, which is lunisolar. Because the Hebrew year is shorter than the solar year, months are adjusted through a system of leap years to keep seasonal holidays aligned. As a result, the Gregorian dates of Yom Kippur shift each year but follow a predictable pattern over the Metonic cycle.
Reference table: Yom Kippur around 2017
| Hebrew year | Gregorian start (sundown) | Gregorian end (nightfall) | Corresponding Gregorian year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5777 | September 21, 2016 | September 22, 2016 | 2016 |
| 5778 | October 1, 2017 | October 2, 2017 | 2017 |
| 5779 | September 19, 2018 | September 20, 2018 | 2018 |
Practical details for planning
Because Yom Kippur is a day of fasting and prayer that begins at sunset, planning should account for both the sunset start and the subsequent nightfall end. In 2017, this meant beginning observance at sundown on October 1 and concluding after dark on October 2. For future reference, Yom Kippur typically falls in September or early October, occasionally extending into mid-October depending on the Hebrew year structure.
Evergreen notes on observance
Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism, characterized by fasting, prayer, and repentance. Work restrictions are observed from sunset to nightfall, and communal services are held in synagogues. These practices remain consistent year to year, while the specific Gregorian dates advance through the calendar in a recurring cycle.