At the conclusion of the day, but before sunset, the Ne’ila prayer service is conducted. This is the fifth prayer service of the day and it is unique to Yom Kippur. It expresses the most elevated moments, just before the gates of heaven close and the holy day comes to its conclusion. The term ne’ila means locking, and it is explained that this prayer is called Ne’ila because at this time God and the Jewish people are locked in a room together, as it were, and the relationship between them reaches its pinnacle. This is the final opportunity on Yom Kippur to repent, accept new resolutions, and begin a new, more pure and holy chapter in life. Due to the uniqueness of this prayer service, it is customary in many congregations to open the ark at the beginning of the prayer leader’s repetition and to leave it open for the duration of the prayer service. The Ne’ila service should be timed such that it concludes at the end of Yom Kippur and can be immediately followed by the evening [Ma’ariv] prayer service.

The Ne’ila prayer service, particularly the cantor’s repetition, includes various liturgical compositions and Selihot. A confession is recited at the conclusion of the private Amida and during the cantor’s repetition.

There are several differences between this and the earlier prayer services of the day. Whenever we pray that God should “inscribe us” for a good new year, the terminology is altered so that in Ne’ila we pray that God should “seal us” in the book of life. Additionally, much of the version of the confession recited during the other prayer services (beginning “we have sinned”) is omitted during Ne’ila, and replaced with a different prayer for atonement.

Following the cantor’s repetition, the congregation recites Avinu Malkeinu, even if Yom Kippur is on Shabbat, when this prayer is not usually recited. Some congregations recite additional Selihot until nightfall. The climax of Yom Kippur occurs when the prayer leader, followed by the congregation, calls out Shema Yisrael (“Hear, Israel”) once, Barukh Shem (“Blessed is the Name”) three times, and Hashem Hu HaElokim (“The Lord is God!”) seven times, or according to some Sephardim, twelve times. The recitation of these verses expresses our acceptance of God’s authority for the duration of the upcoming year.

At the end of the prayer service (or just before the very end) a single, straight, long blast is sounded with the shofar. It is important to note that this blast does not signify the end of the fast. One should wait until the time publicized in local Jewish calendars before breaking the fast and performing other activities prohibited on Yom Kippur.

Further reading: For a description of a particularly meaningful Ne’ila prayer in the study hall of the Ba’al Shem Tov, see A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 70.