Significance: Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year. On this day we are instructed to separate ourselves as much as possible from the mundane world in which we live so that we can devote ourselves to our relationship with the Divine. Jews traditionally observe this holy day by fasting and in prayer.
Holiday tips:
Plan nutrient-nich vegan meals before and after the fast: Begin your day with a hearty, plant-based meal that sustains you through the fast. Opt for nutrient-rich options like quinoa or brown rice bowls with roasted vegetables and a protein source such as chickpeas or tofu. Add plenty of leafy greens for added vitamins and minerals. After the fast, break it with a vegan soup, such as a lentil or vegetable soup, along with whole-grain bread or crackers.
Prepare a variety of vegan break-fast options:
Traditional break-fast meals often include dairy, but there are many vegan alternatives. Consider an array of vegan options like:
Dairy-free cream cheese and bagels
Fruit platters
Hummus and pita bread & other dips
Vegan pastries
Vegan blintzes
Vegetable salads
Remember, Yom Kippur is a time for introspection and spiritual growth. While enjoying your vegan meals, take the opportunity to reflect on your life, seek forgiveness, and consider ways to make positive changes both personally and in your relationship with the environment and animals.
Connection to Animal Advocacy:
Why do we fast on Yom Kippur? Not because its better for humans to not eat. By abstaining from food and focusing on prayer, repentance, and self-improvement, we aim to cleanse our hearts and minds. The fasting period is an opportunity to regain moral and spiritual clarity, allowing us to reconnect with our core values and principles. There is no time more relevant than Yom Kippur to consider our own diet and the impact our diet has on ourselves, the animals, and the planet.
On the issue of chickens as kapparos: In the days after R’H and preceding Yom Kippur, many Jews have the practice of taking chickens and waving them around for kapparot. Unfortunately, the chickens are often kept in dire conditions and many are left to die. We have spoken out against using chickens as kapparot time and time again. We have a growing list of Rabbis who have come out in opposition of this cruel practice. Visit shamayim.us/kapparos/ for more information.
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As we embrace the journey towards Yom Kippur, let us use the opportunity to be kinder to our fellow non-human animals. Together we have the power to transform the world through the power of love and compassion. Help us help the animals.
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