Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism and includes the religious ritual of fasting as a form of observance. Though fasting is one way to observe the holiday, it may not serve those living with or recovering from an eating disorder.
By: Claire Rifkin
There are several Yom Kippur traditions and ways to participate in the day while still honoring your needs. If fasting is not right for you, it is important to know other traditions that may serve you better.
As the leaves change and a new school year begins, the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is soon to follow. The Jewish faith views Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the year, and many Jews engage in numerous religious traditions to observe the holiday.¹ One of Yom Kippur’s many traditions is fasting from all food and beverage for a 25-hour period.¹ For some, participating in the fast of Yom Kippur is spiritually meaningful, but for those living with an eating disorder choosing not to fast may be the holiest way to celebrate.²
Beyond being the holiest day of the year in Judaism, Yom Kippur marks the end of a 10-day reflection period and the sealant of a person’s faith for the upcoming Jewish year.³ It is traditional that Jews participate in rituals like spending the day in synagogue praying, wearing white clothing, and fasting.³
These traditions are meant to mimic the behaviors of angels and thus allow for a deeper level of observance.⁴ In overly simplified terms, angels spend all day praying, so we spend all day praying. Angels wear white, so we wear white, and angels don’t eat, so we don’t eat. Just one small caveat, no angel in the Torah had an eating disorder!
Jordana Moses is an LMSW who works with individuals living with eating disorders and is also a member of the orthodox Jewish religion. She notes that fasting for Yom Kippur is perfectly safe for individuals who do not have a disordered relationship with food, a sentiment supported by the Nation Institute of Health.⁵ Nonetheless, she explains that fasting for those living with or in recovery from an eating disorder not only can be damaging to your physical health but your mental health as well.
She articulates that it is still possible to have a deeply spiritual and religiously meaningful day without fasting. She says, “there are so many other traditions” that can show an individual’s observance. Fasting for the wrong reasons can actually “be viewed as a sin” and detract from the day’s holiness.
Ultimately Jordana says that choosing not to fast is a highly individualized choice. She recommends seeking the guidance of a Rabbi to determine what is right for you. She notes that if you are living with or recovering from an eating disorder, any responsible rabbi would likely advise against fasting. Whether you decide to fast on Yom Kippur is ultimately your decision. The choice can prove challenging.
Here are some additional thoughts to consider that may help you to select the path that is right for you:
There are five major areas of religious rituals on Yom Kippur, and fasting only counts for one of them. Explore other ways to observe the holiday does not involve fasting.⁶
- Try to reframe the day by focusing on the religious rituals that bring you closer to your faith rather than the ones that distract you from it. If you are so focused on the act of fasting, it may be challenging to tune into the other parts of the day that make Yom Kippur so significant.
- The act of fasting on Yom Kippur is a way of showing religious observance. If the reason you are fasting is initiating from eating disorder behaviors, it is not considered a holy practice.
- Even one day of veering from your recovery plan can impede progress and profoundly impact your physical and mental well-being.⁷
- Know that you have bodily autonomy. You are ultimately allowed to make choices for your body that honor your health and well-being.
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. Read more about our philosophy here, or book a free consultation call with our admissions team to discuss the next steps.
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 Dietetic Intern, Claire Rifkin (she/her).
Claire is a Dietetic Intern currently pursuing her M.S. in clinical nutrition and dietetics at New York University. She is originally from Portland, OR but has called New York City home for the past seven years. Claire earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona and went on to work as a film and video editor before transitioning into the field of nutrition. Her passions include helping those living with food insecurity, munchkin cats, and her newly found love of rock climbing.
References
“What Is Yom Kippur? – the Day of Atonement – High Holidays – Chabad.” Chabad.org, 2022, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/177886/jewish/What-Is-Yom Kippur.htm.
- “When Fasting Is Not Teshuvah: Yom Kippur with Eating Disorders.” Ritualwell, 17 Aug. 2022, https://ritualwell.org/ritual/when-fasting-not-teshuvah-yom-kippur-eating disorders/.
- 18Doors. “Everything You Need to Know about Yom Kippur.” 18Doors, 3 Sept. 2021, https://18doors.org/yom-kippur-cheat-sheet/.
- Levene, Rabbi Osher Chaim. “Yom Kippur: Of Angels & Men.” Torah.org, 7 Oct. 2005, https://torah.org/torah-portion/livinglaw-5766-yomkippur/.
- Katz Y, Zangen D, Leibowitz G, Szalalt A. [Diabetic patients in the Yom Kippur fast–who can fast and how to treat the fasting patients]. Harefuah. 2009 Sep;148(9):586-91, 659, 658. Hebrew. PMID: 20070046.
- “Five Afflictions on Yom Kippur – High Holidays – Chabad.” Chabad.org, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4821/jewish/Five-Afflictions.htm.
- Stice E, Davis K, Miller NP, Marti CN. Fasting increases risk for onset of binge eating and bulimic pathology: a 5-year prospective study. J Abnorm Psychol. 2008 Nov;117(4):941-6. doi: 10.1037/a0013644. PMID: 19025239; PMCID: PMC2850570.
