With this year's Yom Kippur in full swing, I thought it appropriate to explain to the lovely non-Jew's of the world what this holiday is all about.
1. What the heck is this holiday anyway?
Yom Kippur is exactly ten days after Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year (which holds a whole other set of questions for another time. These ten days are called the Ten Days of Repentance, and is seen as an opportunity for change. You reflect upon your wrongs in the past year and apologize for them, to both G-d and the people you've wronged. In these ten days you practice repentance, prayer, and charity. Jewish tradition believes that on this day God places a seal upon the Divine decrees affecting each person for the coming year. The holiday, itself, is the most solemn of the year, but has some happy undertones, stemming from the confidence that G‑d will accept our repentance, forgive our sins, and seal our verdict for a year of life, health, and happiness. Which, you know, is pretty nice.
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2. What do you do on Yom Kippur?
We go to services. That's it. We don't eat, we don't drink. We read from the Torah. What you'll read will depend on the synagogue you're attending. Traditionally, we read from Leviticus about sacrificing a goat. But some reform congregations replaced that with a passage from Deuteronomy, about human freedom to make moral choices. There's also the books of Moses and the Book of Jonah. It's a lot of reading. A lot of standing up and sitting down. They don't call it High Holiday Aerobics for nothing.
3. So, why do you fast?
We deprive ourselves of food and water for approximately 26 hours, from sundown to sundown. We fast because it is a mitzvah, a sacred commandment. In Numbers 29:7, we are instructed: "On the tenth day of the same seventh month [in lunar calendar] you shall observe a sacred occasion when you shall practice self-denial" (‘ee-ni-tem et naph-sho-tei-khem). The word ‘ee-ni-tem comes from the verb "to afflict" or "to deny oneself". It also is the Hebrew root for the concept of humility, Anavah. On Yom Kippur the action we are supposed to be engaged in is one in which we have subdued ourselves and humbled ourselves. Also, we are to refrain from washing, wearing leather, or engaging in sexual relations. Each of these actions are all things that should be pleasurable. On Yom Kippur, affliction of the soul is the refrain from such enjoyable things that we are so used to doing. So it sucks, but it sucks for a good cause.
4. Does everyone have to fast?
Generally, those who have had their bar/bat mitzvah will fast, unless it poses potential health issues. Children younger than 9 are not allowed to fast along with pregnant or nursing women. Same goes with avoiding water. The point of fasting is to suffer, but don't land yourself in the hospital doing it. G-d will understand.
5. Why are men wearing sneakers with their suits?
Yeah, we look ridiculous. But this stems from avoiding leather, which was once a luxury, so it's appropriate to wear sneakers with your suit to avoid it. Technically faux leather is fine, but it's best to avoid the entire branch of it, since it's the concept of leather that is seen as a luxury, and therefore vain.
6. Why aren't you supposed to wish someone "Happy Yom Kippur"?
Yom Kippur isn't a happy holiday. We aren't super happy when we're hungry. Don't tell us to be happy.
So have an easy fast. Gmar hatima tova. May you be inscribed for a good year. And try not to kill anyone because you're hangry. G-d wouldn't appreciated that very much.
