Yom Kippur | S E P T 2 5 2 0 1 2

For those who practice Judaism, at sundown tonight is the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews. It is the day of atonement, and is sort of like a cleanse for the soul. Actually, not just the soul, as one fasts for 25 hours, starting at sundown tonight to sundown tomorrow evening.

A few tips:

so the trick is just to cut back on this. if you can...

1. try not to drink too much coffee today, as tomorrow the withdrawal will hit you hard, rendering your fast unneccesarily challenging. Personally, that is almost an impossible feat, as I drink coffee, for the taste and for the caffeine, pretty much always.

2. stay very well hydrated

3. don't eat a huge meal tonight for the Meal of Cessation [or Seudat Mafseket]

4. Get lots of sleep. Maybe even a nap after services & before Break the Fast dinner tomorrow night!

So the first suggestion may be a bit late, as you could've done well to quit the coffee & other addictive liquid drinking several weeks prior to fasting. But still, I'm trying it today. No coffee. And considering that it's already noon, I'd assess that things are going quite well. Minus the pounding headache above my right eye.

To all a happy & sweet New Year & an easy fast!