Sundown Wednesday marked the start of the holiest Jewish holiday. Jews around the world are now partaking in Yom Kippur.

"We're commanded to have this day of affliction. A day to set aside and reflect on our sins and transgressions over the past year," said Augusta Rabbi David Sirull.

It's a holiday called Yom Kippur. It means a day of Atonement.

"The holiday goes back to the days of Moses, 3300 years ago. Moses obtained forgiveness for the Jewish people for the sin of the golden calf," said Augusta Rabbi Zalman Fischer.

In the book of Leviticus the Jews are instructed to celebrate
this day of atonement every year. They do so today by fasting, praying, asking for and showing forgiveness.

"We ask forgiveness not only from God, but between person and person, also for ourselves," said Sirull.

Yom Kippur falls just nine days after the start of the Jewish New Year. It's a time for Jewish people to renew their relationship with God.

"It's like we go out on a date once a year. We put all our differences aside. We try to begin again; renew our love affair," said Fischer.

A blow of the shofar ends the holiday. A blast they call a declaration of victory. The holiday ends after dark on Thursday.