Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community. Set during the tenth day in the month of Tishrei, the objective is to strengthen one’s spirituality, often by abstaining from worldly pleasures such as eating and drinking. Although this is a sacred day of reflection and repentance, the holiday can bring about a heightened sense of anxiety for many people in the Jewish community. The intense focus on eating habits is often reminiscent of eating disorder behaviors and can be triggering for those struggling or in recovery.
By: Samreen Khan
This year, Yom Kippur falls from October 4th through October 5th. The significance of food, not only on this day, but also on the days preceding it, incites considerable feelings of unease within individuals with eating disorders.
Jewish law makes it clear that those not in good health are not obligated to fast, and many interpretations of this exemption include individuals suffering from eating disorders¹. While it is not uncommon for those with eating disorders to be exempt from fasting, it is not simply the act of fasting that can be triggering. Continuing to eat while everyone around you fasts can incite feelings of guilt and shame related to your disorder and your religion. The voice of your eating disorder may be magnified as it compares your lack of restriction to others’ perceived self-control, thus making you feel inferior.
But Yom Kippur, let alone Judaism itself, is not about competition. Student Sarah Simone explains this elegantly in a post recounting her own experiences with her eating disorder during Yom Kippur. She points out that the emphasis on self-reflection during the holiday means that “what everyone else is doing with their bodies in relation to their faith is none of your concern,” and vice versa¹. Finding other ways to stimulate spiritual growth makes it possible to observe the holiday without sacrificing the welfare of your body and mind.
Working with your recovery team to develop a game plan for Yom Kippur during the preceding weeks can help alleviate the tension you feel as the holiday approaches. You are not alone in this struggle; countless other individuals with histories of eating disorders experience similar perturbations and inhibitions. Seeking wisdom from within your Jewish community can be challenging. Still, it can allow you to cultivate connections with people who understand what you are going through and participate in traditions that would be prosperous for both your piety and your health. For example, Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers suggests bringing intention, or kavannah, to eating during Yom Kippur for those who cannot fast². Enriching your faith by attending prayer services at the synagogue – or even attending them virtually if you prefer – is another way to observe Yom Kippur without fasting.
With eating disorder rates rising in the Jewish community³, it is important to acknowledge the plight of those who struggle or have struggled with disordered eating during, not only Yom Kippur, but other holidays as well. Intrinsic principles of Judaism, such as Pikuach nefesh – the belief in the value of human life and its preservation – and Shmirat HaGuf – the practice of guarding the body – are important to keep in mind should you find yourself grappling between recovery and religion. Ultimately, both aspects of your life should allow you to live vibrantly and fully. You do not have to sacrifice one to satisfy the other.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, our compassionate, highly skilled team of clinicians is trained in diagnosing and treating the spectrum of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. Our clinical treatment team has extensive experience working with clients in the Jewish community. Our admissions team is happy to answer any questions about BALANCE’s programs.
BALANCE also now offers exclusive insurance trials in its virtual track. With our insurance trials, eligible participants get access to treatment right away, comprehensive payment options, and our team’s support in navigating your coverage. Your insurance could cover up to 80% of your allowed amount up front, reducing the cost of your treatment, and allowing you to pay the remaining balance through a payment plan, after an initial deposit. Reach out here to see if you qualify.
Looking for eating disorder treatment programs or services in the New York City area? Learn more about our options at BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™ here or contact us here.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Samreen Khan (she/her/he/him).
Samreen is a high school graduate with an ardent drive to de-stigmatize mental illness and eating disorders. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she experienced the harmful effects of “fitspo” culture firsthand for most of her childhood. Throughout her own recovery journey, she became passionate about deconstructing diet culture and raising awareness about eating disorders in her everyday life. Samreen began extending her own ideology of intuitive eating and body neutrality to others by publishing her own writing online when she was fourteen, and has since received several awards for her prose and poetry. She has conducted research on the biological and evolutionary implications of familial mental illness, and is currently taking college-level Sociology and Psychology courses with hopes to delve further into the social and cultural constructs that bolster disordered eating, especially within marginalized communities. She’s grateful for the opportunity to combine two of her strongest passions — writing and mental health — by working with BALANCE!
References
- Simone, Sarah. “Observing Yom Kippur with a Disordered Eating Past.” Hey Alma, 70 Faces Media, 19 Jan. 2021, https://www.heyalma.com/observing-yom-kippur-with-a-disordered-eating-past/.
- Young-Somers, Debbie. “When Fasting Is Not Teshuvah: Yom Kippur with Eating Disorders.” Ritualwell, Reconstructing Judaism, 17 Aug. 2022, https://ritualwell.org/ritual/when-fasting-not-teshuvah-yom-kippur-eating-disorders/.
- Berg, Tanya, et al. “Eating Disorders in the Jewish Community.” National Eating Disorders Association, National Eating Disorders Association, 15 Apr. 2021, https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/eating-disorders-jewish-community.
“What Is Yom Kippur?” Chabad, Chabag.org, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/What-Is-Yom-Kippur.htm.
