Recipe: Break the Yom Kippur fast with homemade bagels
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, during which time a strict fast is observed.
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, during which time a strict fast is observed.
High Holy Day meals, local honey, meeting singles, where to do tashlich, where to break the fast and much more
Breaking the fast has its own set of traditions. Ashkenazim usually break the fast with something salty, like herring, because they believe fish restores salt lost by the body while fasting. Herring also was the cheapest fish in Eastern Europe, where the custom originated.
I grew up in a family that never seemed to do anything right. Our approach to Yom Kippur, for example, was mixed: My father and I observed it; my mother and brother did not. Returning from synagogue at the end of the day, Dad and I were starving, so we grabbed a couple of slices of challah and spread chopped liver on top. Without ceremony, we leaned over a kitchen counter inhaling this snack.
Although the experience was a bonding one, by high school I realized that something was wrong with this picture, that something made me feel uncomfortable. Standing on linoleum, I\’d pivot on one of my high heels and contemplate what routine other families followed when they came home from synagogue. How and when did they resume eating?
Yom Kippur\’s break the fast is the most anticipated meal of the year. Of course, it\’s because we\’re starving; we\’ve been fantasizing about that first bite for the last 25 hours.
Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, is a time when Jews are required to fast for 24 hours. At the end of this period, family and friends gather for the traditional break-the-fast meal.
This year at the conclusion of services our family and friends will arrive at our home at various times, since they are coming from synagogues that stretch from San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles.
The transition from fasting to feasting should be a gradual one. Light, simple food is best. These two quick recipes are perfect for the holiday. Just add a few side dishes to complete the menu.