In uncertain times, we rely on tradition and the natural rhythms of life to provide meaning and stability. While the current challenges we face are real, we need to remember they are temporary. We are part of a larger whole—a long continuum—which provides perspective and comfort. Celebrating holidays helps us to stay connected to this whole, and helps us navigate difficult times.

Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the 10 Days of Awe. In the Jewish tradition, this is a period of introspection and repentance. It follows the Jewish new year, Rosh Hashanah, and is the time when God decides each person’s fate. It’s a time when Jews are encouraged to ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year and make amends. It’s a time of fasting followed by a “breaking of the fast” meal.

Catering by Michaels is humbled to be a part of your Yom Kippur observances.

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One of our favorite things about Catering by Michaels is the different cultures and religions on our team. Many members of our team are not familiar with the Jewish holidays when they join our company. Since these holidays are a big part of our business, we always take the time every year to teach the traditions and cuisine of each holiday.

On Yom Kippur, people will come together for fasting and prayer from before sundown on the previous night until after sundown on the day of the fast. This means no food or drink is consumed for 24 hours. Foods that are comforting, filling, and requiring minimal preparation are the perfect foods to eat after a day of fasting.

Food and Tradition

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The holiday of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the holiest day of the year, when Jewish people come together, fasting and praying as one.

If Rosh Hashanah is about celebrating the arrival of the Jewish New Year, Yom Kippur symbolizes the cleansing of the previous year’s sins. The majority of the day is spent in Synagogue as many use the opportunity to reflect on their individual and collective actions over the past year, and their hope for the coming year.

It is believed that on this day, a person’s fate for the upcoming year is sealed, therefore, the entire day is spent fasting and praying for forgiveness and a good new year.

On Yom Kippur, observers abstain from eating, working, wearing leather, perfumes, and acts of intimacy. This is a sacred occasion and an opportunity to clean the slate, reset all systems, and start again smoothly.

First We Fast

This year, the holiday begins at sundown on September 18. When the sun goes down, and Yom Kippur starts, so does the act of fasting. Those observing will commence their 25-hour fast until nightfall on September 19. During this time all forms of sustenance are prohibited — even water.

The Jewish tradition of fasting stems from verses in the Torah, which state that fasting on Yom Kippur is a necessary component of the day. Fasting is believed to be a vehicle for reflecting and repenting for your sins.

Those who are too feeble, sick, or young to safely fast are not required to do so. However, healthy females from the age of 12 and males from the age of 13 must fast as part of the tradition. Throughout the fasting period, the focus moves from physical needs to engaging in repentance and prayer in the synagogue.

The 5 Prayers of Yom Kippur

Even though there is no food to be had on Yom Kippur, observers still dress the table with a festive cloth and light candles before the onset of the holy day. Two blessings are said to send thanks for enabling those of the faith to reach the new year.

Yom Kippur is a special occasion for children, who observe it by lighting candles, changing shoes, and finding new prayers to learn and recite.

On an ordinary day, there are three daily prayers: Maariv (evening prayer), Shacharit (morning prayer) and Minchah (afternoon prayer). On Shabbat and holidays, a fourth prayer is added. Yom Kippur, however, is the only day of the year when a fifth prayer is introduced. Ne’ilah, the closing prayer, is said as the sun sets in the west as this special day comes to a close.

Now We Fast

After the sun sets and the holiday of Yom Kippur comes to a close, the tradition of breaking the fast begins. And this is where we come in!

During the Rosh Hashanah meal, there are strict rules about what kosher food can be eaten after fasting. Yom Kippur is much different. In general, people often eat gentler, less spicy dishes. After fasting, the stomach is much more sensitive to rich, spicy food.

The typical assortment of foods includes fruits and veggies, lox and bagels, white albacore tuna salad, cakes, and baked casseroles.

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Yom Kippur, marking the day of God’s forgiveness, is one of the most important holidays on the Hebcal Jewish Calendar. It closes the “Ten Days of Repentance”, which started with Rosh Hashanah.

The holiday literally translates as “Day of Atonement”, as the faithful ask forgiveness for their sins in the past year and blessing as they begin the New Year.

Yom Kippur, part of the High Holidays, is characterized by fasting and feasting as the members of the community strengthen their bonds. Because the months of the Jewish Calendar follow the lunar cycle, Yom Kippur is not held on the same day of the civic calendar every year, though it usually occurs between September and October.

This year (2017) it will begin Friday, September 29 and ends the evening of September 30.

The feasting starts the day before Yom Kippur, with everyone eating and drinking in abundance. On this day, two celebratory meals are consumed: one early in the day and another moments before the onset of Yom Kippur, as the holiday’s central component is in fact fasting.

Because the fasting period lasts for a little more than 25 hours, after the Erev Yom Kippur meal until the following evening, those who are too feeble, sick, or young to safely fast are not required to do so. However, healthy females from the age of 12 and males from the age of 13 must fast as part of the tradition. Those well enough to do so often add a few minutes to the beginning and end of the day of fasting, which is known as tosefet Yom Kippur.

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We’re pretty notorious for our ability to cater many Jewish holidays in style, with respect to traditional foods and their cultural significance. While we take pride in the menus we put together specifically for holidays like Passover, Hanukkah, Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah, there’s something special about being asked to take part in the Jewish coming of age celebrations for boys and girls: bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs.

We recently catered perhaps the coolest bar mitzvah, ever. The whole event revolved around a baseball theme, and was over the top in the best possible way.

All photos provided courtesy of Jai Girard Photography.

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