Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is one of the holiest days of the year for Jews.
Paleo Yom Kippur Break Fast Menu
Because Yom Kippur involves fasting for over 24 hours, I keep our Yom Kippur Break Fast menu light and very healthy. After going without food and water for this long it’s important to resume eating in a simple way!
What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is our Day of Atonement, or as our Rabbi Tirzah Firestone says, at-one-ment. I love that.
Yom Kippur Meaning?
What does Yom Kippur mean? The literal translation is:
Yom (יוֹם) = day
Kippur (כִּפּוּר) = atone
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When is Yom Kippur?
In case you’re wondering, when is Yom Kippur 2020, I’ve got you covered. This year, Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Sunday, September 27th, referred to as Erev Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur Fasting
Fasting for Yom Kippur begins 20 minutes before sundown and ends after nightfall the following day. Why fast on Yom Kippur? We do so to lessen our grip on the corporeal and come closer to spiritual holiness as we repent for our sins.
Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
The period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur is known as the Days of Awe. This ten-day period of introspection culminates in Yom Kippur. These two High Holy Days are the only ones in Judaism, and very important to us.
I love Jewish New Year and have a healthy low-carb Rosh Hashanah Menu that we enjoy for our New Year’s celebration. After that comes our fantastic keto Yom Kippur Break Fast tradition.
How is Yom Kippur Observed?
On the eve of Yom Kippur, we eat a festive meal before the holiday starts. We then pray, seek atonement and forgiveness, and give to charity, typically gathering in synagogue when there is not a pandemic.
Some of the sins we may be repenting for this year.
Can You Say Happy Yom Kippur?
I’m often asked, is it ok to say Happy Yom Kippur? The answer to that is not really. That’s because Yom Kippur is a Holy Day, not a holiday. Yom Kippur is not a celebration, but a solemn day to repent and atone for our sins.
What Can You Say on Yom Kippur?
Along these lines, what is the proper Yom Kippur greeting? In our family on Yom Kippur, we say, have an easy fast.
Food for Yom Kippur
On Yom Kippur, a fast day, we abstain from food and water. Because a liquid-free fast can be stressful, I don’t include many spicy foods or sweets at our Yom Kippur Break Fast.
Paleo Yom Kippur Break Fast Menu
Although my husband grew up breaking the fast with heavy foods and rich desserts, he thanks me every year for making simple, wholesome foods for our Yom Kippur Break Fast. Here’s our menu for you!
Homemade Hot Apple Cider
Matzo Ball Soup
Paleo Mini Bagels
Low-Carb Orange Chocolate Macadamia Biscotti
Cinnamon Apple Cake
Paleo Honey Cake
Low-Carb Yom Kippur Break Fast
Strange times we are living in with Zoom services and gatherings for our virtual High Holy Days. Not sure how much Yom Kippur Break Fast cooking I’ll be doing this year given that gatherings are small and socially distant.
What Are Your Yom Kippur Plans?
How do you plan to observe Yom Kippur and what will you make?
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives, I first published it in 2012.
Ruth Atkin says
Thanks for posting the matzah ball soul as a break fast item this year. We tried them this year and the soup and the matzah balls really did the trick. They were not as dense and clunky as I thought they might be. Almond flour works great!
Thank you, thank you. Tonight is now Simchat Torah with virtual dancing about to take place.
Elana says
Ruth, you’re welcome! And happy Simchas Torah :-)
Sandy Starkman says
Actually, many rabbis will say that YK is a happy holiday as God is willing to forgive us of our transgressions if we seek repentance/teshuva in the proper manner- Rosh Hashana actually less happy as we are supposed to be judged on our merits. In any view, gamar hatima tova and thanks for all of your delicious recipes and advice for all of us- Stay well and thank you
Elana says
Sandy, thanks so much and happy new year!
Christine says
This was so interesting, Elana. Thank you for sharing also some of the meaning behind these Holy Days. I am not Jewish, and did know the real meaning behind the names, and I loved what your Rabbi said – “at-one-meant”. Wonderful. And I will certainly be giving some of these recipes a try (since everything of yours always works!) and can now consume them mindfully, thinking of the tradition. Thank you for what you do in this world, you make a real difference in people’s lives with your recipes and books and information. Certainly in mine! All the best, Christine
Elana says
Christine, thanks for your sweet and wonderful comment, I really appreciate it. So glad we can share our diverse experiences here and learn from each other :-)