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 Inui Yom Hakippurim/ |
 Fasting is the central mitzvah on Yom Kippur. This means to cease all eating and drinking from sundown on erev (the night of) Yom Kippur until nightfall after Yom Kippur ends (check a Jewish calendar for exact times). Someone who is seriously ill or whose health may be in danger should consult a Rabbi before fasting.
 “"But on the tenth day of this month it is the Day of Atonement; there shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall afflict yourselves; you shall offer a fire-offering to Hashem." Leviticus 23:27
 Fasting is more important than attending synagogue. Hashem commanded us to fast, whereas the obligation of going to synagogue is Rabbinic and came to replace the Temple service when the Temple was destroyed in year 70 CE.
The purpose of the fast (and the other prohibitions) is to subdue our physical desires in order to bring us to a state of seriousness, which will enhance our repentance.
It is a mitzvah to eat and drink continuously on the day before Yom Kippur, in order that we prepare ourselves for the fast of Yom Kippur. As a matter of fact, our Sages of blessed memory, teach us that the day before Yom Kippur is the only day of the year when it is a mitzvah to eat (simply eating any food is a mitzvah) and it is forbidden to fast.
  One should also refrain from wearing leather footwear, washing or bathing one's body except to remove soil, using any ointment or lotion and marital relations. Attending synagogue services and participating in communal prayers is ideally the way one should spend Yom Kippur as this helps to focus and bring oneself to true repentance.
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