Why the closing prayers of Judaism’s holiest holiday focus on repairing relationships with each other

People attend Yom Kippur services hosted by Temple Emanu-El on Sept. 16, 2021, in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Each Passover, as Jewish families start the Seder meal, a child asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

And each Yom Kippur, as worshippers attend the last prayers of the day, they might well ask: “Why is this closing service different from all other services?”