Fasting on Yom Kippur

Since the time of the bible, Jews have fasted on Yom Kippur. Traditionally, the fast runs from sundown to sundown and entails refraining from food and drink (including water), sexual relations, lotions and oils, washing and bathing, and wearing leather shoes. That’s why you might see some people wearing sneakers with their fine clothes. People who need medicine or who have other medical needs are expected to eat and drink appropriately; no one should compromise their health in order to fast. We will have water and snacks available for anyone who begins to feel ill during the holiday on account of fasting. It is customary to wish one another a tzom kal, an easy fast, though others prefer to say, in English, “have a meaningful fast.”