Kol Nidre

American  

[kawl nee-drey, kohl nid-ruh, -rey] / kɔl niˈdreɪ, ˈkoʊl ˈnɪd rə, -reɪ /

noun

Judaism.

1. a liturgical prayer for recitation at the beginning of the service on the eve of Yom Kippur asking that all unfulfilled vows to God be nullified and all transgressions forgiven.

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Kol Nidre British  

/ kɔl niːˈdre, kɔːl ˈnɪdreɪ /

noun

1. the evening service with which Yom Kippur begins

2. the opening prayer of that service, declaring null in advance any purely religious vows one may come to make in the coming year

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Etymology

Origin of Kol Nidre

< Aramaic kōl all + nidhrē vows, promises

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Kol Nidre

During a Kol Nidre service in Oakland, California, I crowded into a rented space-turned-synagogue with nearly 1,000 other attendees.

From Salon ● Oct. 16, 2023

At Temple Beth El in Fort Myers, congregants planned to have in-person Yom Kippur services Wednesday, with Kol Nidre services available only online Tuesday night.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 4, 2022

“She survived her first High Holy Day season with me,” said Ms. Schafer, who wowed Ms. Woods with her rendition of Kol Nidre on Yom Kippur.

From New York Times ● Nov. 19, 2021

We thought Hank Greenberg was part of Kol Nidre service.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2019

A fife and drum band is heard in the distance playing the Kol Nidre.

From Ulysses by Joyce, James