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 2023, I’ve got you covered. This year, Yom Kippur begins on the evening of Sunday, September 24th, 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.
Marilyn says
I’d love to share this with our HU Alum. Is that ok with you?
Marilyn says
Shana Tova Umetukah
Have a meaningful fast.
Elana says
Marilyn, that would be great! Please do! I studied at Hebrew University in 1988. When were you there?
Joy Pulitzer says
L’Shanah Tovah to you and your lovely family, Elana. I hope to see you soon.
Elana says
Joy, Shana Tova! Please give my love to all :-)
Leah says
Love to hear how you celebrate the holidays. We have always celebrated them but just found out this year my husband is Jewish by blood as well. So, thank you for sharing. I love it.
Elana says
Leah, you’re welcome!
G says
I love the Whole Meal type of posts ….so lovely and so real…
I can see the flavors jumping out at me…
Is that a new camera or different tequnique?
More of this type of post is what I’d love to see here!
Elana says
Thanks G! It’s the same old camera! Here’s a link to my Paleo Rosh Hashanah post for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/rosh-hashanah-recipes/
Enjoy!
Elana
Bina says
Wishing I would have seen this post prior to the fast, I’ll catalog it for next year though. Hope you had an easy and meaningful fast. A gut Kvittle. Do you make a sukkah? Please post pictures!
Shana Tova,
Bina
Elana says
Thanks Bina! Some years we make a Sukkah, others not :-)
Rachel says
Hrm… Is “yum” kippur too corny? ;)
Elana says
Rachel, that is way awesome!
Gluten Free Warrior Princess says
Love the idea of filling up with the warm cider. And the matzo ball soup looks divine. It’s great to find some recipes for the holidays. Thanks!
Elana says
Thanks!
Joelle says
Always love to hear how you observe the holidays, food wise. This year my husband and I are doing an extended cleanse leading up to the fast–my hope is to not shock my system on the day of no food/water. We’ll see! G’mar tov.
Elana says
Joelle, thanks for your comment! G’mar tov :-)
Olivia@ OmNom Love says
The apple cider and matzo ball soup sound delicious!
I don’t know very many Jewish people so it’s interesting to see what kind of holidays (for lack of a better word) you guys have. Keep up the wonderful recipes and posts! :)
Elana says
Thanks Olivia!
Sina @ the kosher spoon says
Wonderful menu! I also like to serve something light and comforting so I’m making soup and salad, with maybe a healthy muffin for dessert.
Elana says
Thanks Sina!