Erev

In Hebrew, “erev” (evening)

Means the ending and the start,

Both happening together,

Nothing setting them apart.

For at sundown, daytime’s over

But all holidays begin,

As most Jewish people celebrate;

That’s how it’s always been.

So the night that comes before,

We say it’s “Erev” with the name 

Of the day upon the calendar 

The ancients did proclaim.

Tonight’s Erev Yom Kippur,

The most holy day of all,

Which will be observed tomorrow

‘Til we hear the shofar’s* call.

*a ram’s horn blown during services