YOM KIPPUR: NEILAH (THE CLOSING OF THE GATES)

The final service of Yom Kippur is known as “Neilah”. The Hebrew word “Neilah” means ‘closing or locking’.

According to the Talmud, “Neilah” alludes to the closing of the Temple gates at the end of the day. Neilah also refers to the closing of the gates of heaven at nightfall when the day’s prayers are over (Yerushalmi, Berachot 4:1).