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Towards the end of Yom Kippur, the sanctity of the day ebbs away. The gates of heaven, open to all penitents who knocked, are about to be locked. Therefore, the concluding prayer service is called Ne’ila (“Locking”). Because Ne’ila is so important, the custom is to leave the ark open during the entire service. Efforts should be made to recite Ne’ila with intense concentration.
The primary atonement takes place at the close of Yom Kippur, after a long day of fasting and repenting. Therefore, even those who feel weak should push themselves to keep going – praying on behalf of the nation, repenting, and resolving to increase their Torah study and mitzva observance.
At the conclusion of Ne’ila, when there is no more time to confess or pray, we accept the yoke of heaven by collectively calling out the first verse of the Shema and “The Lord is God.” For at the culmination of the High Holy Days, we become aware that faith is the foundation and purpose of everything. Each of us wants to cling to God and to perfect the world under His sovereignty.
Immediately afterwards, as the stars emerge, we blow the shofar, which resonates on multiple levels. First, it signals the end of the day and the Divine Presence's heavenly ascent, after it has accompanied us throughout the day. Additionally, the shofar expresses the soul’s joy at being freed from the chains of sin. Finally, it foreshadows redemption and the ingathering of the exiles, as we read, “On that day, a great ram’s horn shall be sounded; and the scattered who are in the land of Assyria and the exiles who are in the land of Egypt shall come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 27:13).
With the final shofar blast, the tremendous tension of the High Holy Days dissipates. We feel that God loves us and has accepted our repentance, and that our souls have been purified and freed. We are confident that in the course of the upcoming year, we will be able to ascend spiritually and increase our Torah study and good deeds. Our hearts are filled with joy.
Technically, the fast is over when the stars emerge. Nevertheless, just as with Shabbat (26:13), there is a mitzva to extend the sanctity of Yom Kippur. Therefore, we end the fast a few minutes later. (When Jewish calendars list Yom Kippur times, they take this into account.)
After Ma’ariv, there is a custom to recite Kiddush Levana (29:2 above).
The Havdala service after Yom Kippur is similar to that of Shabbat (above 26:24), but without the fragrance. After Havdala, we break the fast and eat joyfully, expressing our belief that God lovingly accepts those who return to Him.
