This morning, my breakfast bowl was empty; that lack of food actually began at sundown last night, continuing through nearly 8 PM this evening. Today was Yom Kippur, the most important day in the Jewish calendar, and I thought I’d say a few words about the 24 hour fast in which I always participate.
Usually, I’ll be the first to negatively respond when someone mentions fasting. I don’t believe in diets or cleanses; I don’t believe in deprivation or ignoring obvious hunger. Much like many of us, I have heard fellow women proclaim tomorrow a “fast” day. I’ve heard people – friends, colleagues, even family – skip lunch for coffee because dinner was heavy. I’ve heard them say, “Diet starts tomorrow.”
I don’t believe in any of that. Mostly, I believe in eating the right foods well and often.
So, what to do, then, when fasting takes on a larger purpose? At the close of Yom Kippur, there is a service entitled “Neilah.” We stand the entire time. Without food, without fuel, we are asked to endure one more hour, on our feet, before the sun sets and we reach for challah and a new year.
For me, this holiday isn’t about the food, lack thereof, or the mainstream “diet” associations with depriving oneself of food. It’s about reflection and strength – as an individual and as a member of a larger culture. There is no distraction or comfort from meals nor snacks; instead, we focus our energy on the good and the bad in our lives and the lives around the world.
One day, once a year – I’m happy to feel a part of that.
And we always receive a wonderful treat at the end:
This is the product of a traditional family recipe for cheese blintzes, another one of those that were carried through the generations. I’d be happy to share the recipe if there’s interest – note that the process is at minimum a two hour venture, and the result is well, not healthy. Without question, however, they are worth every bite. We enjoy blintzes once a year, on Yom Kippur, and I savor the meal as much as my usual vegetable-laden plates.
There were two blintzes on my plate, but I went back for a third [and that's applesauce alongside - more tradition].
Of course, salad and asparagus were enjoyed alongside. A fast meant a day free of vegetables – I had catching up to do.
On top of today’s family holiday, I had a wonderful celebratory weekend with friends (and have more traditional food to share tomorrow). Regular posting to commence from here on out!
What are your family’s traditional dishes?
Related posts:
I am Polish so we always have pierogi — dumpling filled with mashed potatoes and other flavors (served with either applesauce or onions/butter) during the holidays… my grandma used to make them homemade when she was alive and they were absolutely amazing… for now until I decide to do so as well I have to have the frozen kind :/ Perhaps this holiday season will spark a change in that!
its so wonderful to hear about other traditions and cultures and i think its is even more amazing that you are taking part in this journey. i can totally understand where you are coming from and why you want to do this fast. i hope you get out of this day what you have wished for.
your family’s meal sounds very interesting. i dont think my family has a real traditional food since we are so international and not really rooted. but one thing we all love is a good loaf of german bread.
have a good week
neela
I hope you had a joyous and festive Yom Kippur! I definitely understand why the fast was important to you and why you did it. No question about it! It’s an important spiritual and cultural tradition for many religions. Thanks for sharing your experience–I love hearing about other’s religion.
Love this post and learning about your traditions. My family is mostly German and Hungarian – one thing we always have at holidays is “pigs in the blanket,” which is rice and meat wrapped up in cabbage. Weird, but oddly delicious – especially when my g’ma makes ‘em.
We also love GOBS. But I think it’s a western PA thing to call them gobs. They are also known as “whoppie pies.”
happy yom kippur to you! The blintzes look absolutely delicious!
I think the only traditional meal we have is Christmas dinner. We always have turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and other veggies. I look forward to it every year, but I think if I ate it when it wasn’t Christmas it wouldn’t be the same.
[...] I eat latkes once a year. Altering the preparation would be akin to using fat free cheese in my mom’s blintzes; in other words: pure blasphemy. We don’t want that on a religious [...]