B'nai Israel Reform Temple's Blog

Why fast on Yom Kippur?

Spiritual elevation is a pre-requisite for true repentance. One way to achieve spiritual elevation is to abstain from the physical. Five physical activities are forbidden on Yom Kippur:

1. eating and drinking
2. marital relations
3. washing
4. wearing leather shoes
5. applying lotions

What are the best ways to prepare for the Yom Kippur fast?

While feeling hunger pains is an acceptable part of the fast experience, one need not dehydrate, faint or get sick while fasting. There are several ways to prepare oneself physically for a healthy fast.

• Days before the fast, caffeine intake should be minimized.
• The day before the fast, eat something small every two hours, avoid caffeine and salt, and drink as much water as possible.
• Plan the final meal before the fast early enough in the afternoon to avoid rushing to finish before the fast begins.
• Plan the menu of this final meal so that it contains high carbohydrate and low salt foods.
• Do not eat too much in the meal before the fast, but drink plenty of water.
• Leave time after the meal to drink warm water with sugar and brush teeth.

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