Some children might avoid sugar cereals, for example, while others might give up ice cream or pastries for the day. These are meaningful, age-appropriate ways for children to engage with the mitzvah of fasting.) We give up more than food on Yom Kippur.
Full Answer
Should you have your children eat on Yom Kippur?
You can have your children eat on Yom Kippur together with elderly or sick people who are also not fasting. This way, meals are likely to be eaten in a holiday spirit, complete with blessings before and after.
How can I encourage my child to give up toys on Yom Kippur?
On Yom Kippur, you can also encourage children to give up some basic comforts, such as a favorite toy, a special hair accessory, a particular game, or even an outdoor activity. The important thing is that your child, with the assistance and support of an adult, takes time to choose a specific way to abstain.
What should I wear on Yom Kippur?
On Yom Kippur we do not wear leather shoes, so put on your canvas or plastic sneakers or sandals! All girls over 12 years old and boys over 13 old must fast. If you are not 12 or 13 yet, you are not obligated to fast, but you should refrain from eating sweets and goodies, as Yom Kippur is a very serious day.
What is Yom Kippur and why is it important?
‘ Yom Kippur’ means the ‘Day of Atonement’. That is, the day when we try to make up for any wrong things we have done. It is a day of fasting which starts at sunset on the 10th of Tishrei and finishes when night falls on the 11th Tishrei. Yom Kippur is also called ‘The Sabbath of Sabbaths’. It is the most holy day in the Jewish year.
What special foods are eaten on Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur The evening break-fast is often a light meal of dairy foods such as sweet noodle kugel, cheesy blintzes, eggs, salads, bagels and fish such as herring, whitefish and lox.
Can you cook for kids on Yom Kippur?
1:012:19What Type Of Food Preparation Can I Do for My Kids On Yom Kippur?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not like touching comments on Pesach you're allowed to handle food on your Kippur. And you'reMoreIt's not like touching comments on Pesach you're allowed to handle food on your Kippur. And you're therefore allowed to prepare meals for your family for your children grandchildren.
What is a good meal to eat before Yom Kippur?
Many families eat a meat meal for lunch and then enjoy a high-carb dairy dinner directly before the fast. The meat menu can include low-salt vegetable soup, breaded chicken, potatoes, and dessert. The dairy menu might feature an egg souffle, whole wheat bagels with various spreads, and fruit salad.
What happens for a child during Yom Kippur?
There are several ways that Jewish people mark Yom Kippur. They do not eat or drink for 25 hours - this is called fasting. However, children who are under the age of 13, those who are pregnant, or people who are ill do not have to fast. So if your family is marking Yom Kippur, you might not yet fast yourself.
How do you celebrate Yom Kippur for kids?
Families can start the day by saying sorry to each other or talking all together about moments or events that they wish they'd handled differently. You can sit and read a story about forgiveness, make a list of people to apologize to, or use puppets and stuffed animals to act out and model saying sorry.
Do children have to fast for Yom Kippur?
Typically, children younger than bar/bat mitzvah age do not fast. But they can begin to recognize that Yom Kippur is a time to take care of others' feelings and to improve their own actions toward others.
What time do you stop eating for Yom Kippur?
Sundown Marks End of Fasting for Jewish Day of Atonement. When abstaining from food and drink, a minute can feel more like an hour and for those fasting for Yom Kippur; food won't be brought back into their lives until after 6 p.m.
What time do you have to stop eating for Yom Kippur?
Traditionally, Yom Kippur is known as the Day of Atonement. It's a Jewish holiday for personal reflection, reverence, and for some, fasting. This approximately 25-hour fast includes no eating and no drinking from sunset to sunset on the day observed as Yom Kippur.
What is a good pre fast meal?
A typical pre-fast meal would include brown rice, baked chicken, a cooked veggie like carrots or broccoli, a tossed salad and fresh fruits for dessert. Those fruits, veggies and brown rice provide fiber to help me feel fuller a little longer and, of course, offer tons of vitamins and minerals.
How old should you be to fast on Yom Kippur?
In traditional Jewish practice, children under 13 are not expected to fast. Neither are pregnant women or anyone with a medical condition that fasting would exacerbate. The idea isn't to create a health hazard—it's a spiritual practice.
What are 10 facts about Yom Kippur?
Fun Facts About Yom Kippur Most people wear white during the holiday. Married men often wear a white robe called a kittle. The Yom Kippur War occurred when Syria and Egypt attacked Israel on Yom Kippur hoping that their army would be distracted by the holiday. Many people fast for 25 hours during the holiday.
What does Yom Kippur symbolize?
This day of atonement marks the end of the Jewish high holy days—and offers a chance for people to change their fate through prayer, repentance, and charity.
How do I talk to my kids about Yom Kippur?
0:304:03Jumpin' Jerusalem! Yom Kippur Video for Kids - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe fix that by going over to them and telling them how sorry we are that we made them feel bad weMoreWe fix that by going over to them and telling them how sorry we are that we made them feel bad we ask them to forgive us I'm Yom Kippur we say sorry and ask God to forgive us to give us a fresh start.
How old should you be to fast on Yom Kippur?
In traditional Jewish practice, children under 13 are not expected to fast. Neither are pregnant women or anyone with a medical condition that fasting would exacerbate. The idea isn't to create a health hazard—it's a spiritual practice.
What do I do on Yom Kippur?
According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person's fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service.
How do you survive on Yom Kippur?
Successful Yom Kippur FastingGet well hydrated. ... Eat reasonably well. ... Decrease salty and spicy foods, which would only increase your thirst later while fasting. ... Decrease caffeine from coffee, tea, soda, and other sources during the week preceding Yom Kippur.
What is Yom Kippur for kids?
Articles / Yom Kippur for Kids: Activities and Teaching Resources. Yom Kippur is one of the holiest days in Judaism. It’s celebrated for 25 hours after the ten holy days known as the Days of Awe. These days begin with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah and end with the holiday of Yom Kippur.
What do we say when we celebrate New Year's Eve?
When we celebrate New Year’s Eve, we say “Happy New Year”. When we celebrate Christmas, we say “Merry Christmas,” so what do we say when we want to greet someone who’s observing Yom Kippur?
What can children do on Yom Kippur?
The “Jewish Lent”. On Yom Kippur, you can also encourage children to give up some basic comforts, such as a favorite toy, a special hair accessory, a particular game, or even an outdoor activity . The important thing is that your child, with the assistance and support of an adult, takes time to choose a specific way to abstain.
What is the central experience of Yom Kippur?
For most adults, the central experience of Yom Kippur is fasting. By abstaining from food and drink, we exercise control over our bodies and do not give in to our most basic impulses. This makes it pretty easy to feel the “affliction” that the. close.
Is it okay to fast on Yom Kippur?
It is appropriate for children who are not fasting to still refrain from bathing and using creams or lotions.
Can you fast with your kids on Yom Kippur?
During Yom Kippur, you can share your feelings about fasting with your children. If you’re not feeling well, your kids might surprise you with how sympathetic they are, and how helpful they can be. Children nearing the age of 13 can fast a few hours to prepare for their forthcoming adult responsibilities.
What do people do on Yom Kippur?
During the morning before Yom Kippur, some people do kapparot, which is a custom that reminds us of the sacrifices made in the Temple in ancient times before a holyday. The traditional way for someone to do kaparot is to take a chicken and wave it around their head three times while saying a prayer so as to ‘transfer’ their sins to the chicken. In modern times, many people prefer to use money instead of a chicken, and the money is then given to charity.
Why do we wear white on Yom Kippur?
It is a custom to wear white clothing on Yom Kippur. This is because white is the colour of purity and our wanting to be close to God. White clothing also reminds us of the white robes worn by angels. Women wear white clothes and men may wear a kittel (long white garment).
Is Yom Kippur a Jewish holiday?
Yom Kippur is not like other special Jewish days. It does not remind us about something that happened to the Jewish people in our long history. Instead, it is all about each individual Jewish person’s behaviour. >
Is it a mitzvah to eat before Yom Kippur?
It is considered a mitzvah (commandment) to eat well on the day before Yom Kippur. The reason for Jewish adults fasting is not to make them suffer, but rather them that Yom Kippur is not about physical activities like eating but rather about spiritual activities like praying. The final meal before Yom Kippur should be a joyful one. At the end of the meal, children are blessed by their father with a special blessing.
What does it mean to say "sorry" on Yom Kippur?
On Yom Kippur, we say we're sorry, and we really mean it. In fact, the rabbis teach that for a complete teshuvah (repentance) to take effect, it requires us to admit our sins, apologize, and set things right for the future. That demonstrates sincere remorse and a desire for change.
Is forgiveness always possible on Yom Kippur?
And forgiveness is always possible. Yom Kippur offers everyone the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and to resolve to do better next time. Many Jewish families begin Yom Kippur by asking forgiveness from one another for hurtful things they did during the year.
Fasting For Those Under 13
Alternatives to Fasting
- While fasting from food and drink may be the most well-known of the Yom Kippur rituals, there are several other opportunities for individuals of all ages to “afflict their souls” on this day. It is appropriate for children who are not fasting to still refrain from bathing and using creams or lotions. Also, children can participate in the custom to abstain from wearing leather shoes, and i…
The “Jewish Lent”
- On Yom Kippur, you can also encourage children to give up some basic comforts, such as a favorite toy, a special hair accessory, a particular game, or even an outdoor activity. The important thing is that your child, with the assistance and support of an adult, takes time to choose a specific way to abstain. Feel free to call this act “fasting from...
During Services
- Depending on your local community, you may or may not have age-appropriate services for children. If your children are sitting through services mainly geared toward adults, it can be helpful to have a conversation to help them connect to the meaning of the day. For example, you might discuss how Yom Kippur is a day for personal and communal atonement. This word, which migh…