The fifth, final, and perhaps most important prayer of Yom Kippur is Ne’ilah – literally meaning “locking” or “closing,” which derives from its full name in ancient times, Ne’ilat She’arim, meaning “locking the gates of the Temple.” It is recited only once a year, only on Yom Kippur, when the five great prayers are said. On ordinary days, there are three: Shacharit, Mincha, and Ma’ariv. On Saturday, a fourth prayer, Musaf, is added. The fifth prayer, Ne’ilah, is said only once a year, at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.
At the time of day when we recite it, the gates of the Temple were closed while it still stood in Jerusalem, and the services for that day were concluded. At this time of day, the gates of the Celestial Temple close, and in our final moments, we pray with all our might that the Gates of Mercy remain open: “Open the Gates for us when the Gates are closed, for the day is already drawing to a close!” A very special motif, woven from sorrow and hope, is repeated many times during the Ne’ila prayer.
In Dnipro, in 2025, the Ne’ila prayer will be held on October 2, at 5:50 PM.
The Ne’ila prayer begins with “Ashrei” and “And the deliverer will come.” Only one word is changed throughout the prayer: instead of “a good record,” we pray for “confirmation of the decision.” This time, the confession of sins does not include a list of sins—it is the same version we say in the Tachanun. However, new passages appear: “You extend Your hand to the transgressors, Your right hand is extended to those who return…”; “You singled out man from the very beginning and deemed him capable of serving You…”
Throughout Ne’ila, the aron kodesh remains open. The excitement and tension of the worshipers grows. We have already dedicated forty days to prayer, the slichot, and now we are reaching the apex—the final moment when no one in heaven is permitted to utter a single word against the people of Israel. The gematria of the word satan (“accuser”) adds up to 364, and there are, as we know, 365 days in a year—a hint that there is one day each year when Satan is stripped of his rights. And we are now at the very end of that day…
The “13 Images of Divine Mercy” and “Avinu, Malkeinu” are chanted again—even in years when Yom Kippur falls on the Sabbath. And just before the end of the greatest day of the year, the chazan proclaims: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One!” And everyone repeats this creed after him. And then, with all their might, “Blessed be the glorious name of His kingdom forever and ever!” Three times—to emphasize that this is true in the past, present, and future. And immediately after this, the culmination of excitement and enthusiasm: “The Lord—He is God!” This cry first rang out on Mount Carmel, when the prophet Elijah defeated the pagan priests: fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice he had prepared. And then the watching people cried out in delight: “The Lord—He is God!”
We repeat these words seven times, for the Almighty has overshadowed us with His Shechinah on this day, and now, after the end of Yom Kippur, it departs from us, moving away from the earth through the seven celestial spheres that separate us from its permanent abode.
It is advisable to finish the Ne’ilah prayer at the onset of night. The shofar is blown once, and all present wish each other: “Next year – in a rebuilt Jerusalem!”
In Dnipro, the Ne’ilah prayer will be held on October 2, 2025, at 5:50 PM. Based on materials from the website http://toldot.ru.
