Every year, as Yom Kippur arrives, we’re reminded that this is not just a day of fasting. It’s not about going hungry, denying ourselves comfort, or performing a ritual out of obligation. The Creator tells us clearly: you have it all wrong if you think this is only about suffering through 25 hours without food or water. The fast is not for the body—it’s for the soul.
By abstaining from physical nourishment, we symbolically starve the part of ourselves that is always grasping, wanting, needing—the ego, or what Kabbalah calls the Desire to Receive for the Self Alone. In its place, we awaken a deeper, higher yearning: the Desire to Receive in Order to Share.By abstaining from food, drink, perfumes, and even bathing, we disconnect from the comforts and pleasurable sensations of the physical world so that our connection to the spiritual world is unhindered.
The Arvei Nachal says, on Yom Kippur, we sit next to the Creator as he looks through each day from the past year and makes an account.
Imagine sitting beside the Creator. Can you imagine what you would say? What would be worthy of asking? I have thought about this question, and I would hope that sitting next to the Creator, I would say the following:
“I know there is a lot I want to accomplish in this world that I haven’t. I know that I need to transform my desire to Receive for the Self Alone to one of sharing. Give me strength and assistance to completely transform so I can accomplish what I came to this world to do.”
Now, when we look to the second half of this sentence, things get a little more intense: “as he looks through each day from the past year and makes an account.”
This might feel a little less magical. Sitting beside the Creator as he witnesses some of our worst behavior from the past year would not be a fun experience. Especially because, at Yom Kippur, the Creator isn’t interested in the good days or the times we easily connected to the Light. What is being tallied are the moments we were able to transform in the face of chaos, the days that we could have easily chosen negativity but instead chose to elevate. Those are the seconds that are counted—luckily, we’re being graded on a curve.
“Worthy are we if, every day, we have a few minutes that are true work.” – Arvei Nachal
These moments of true work are called bringing light out of darkness and, if in one year’s time a person has elevated 24 hours of Light, then that person is considered righteous. In one year, just twenty-four hours, this work is calculated in seconds not days and weeks. It is possible and available to everyone because it isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest and discerning. The work is as simple as identifying negativity and gently removing and releasing what hinders us.
This is not about becoming someone else, doing more, or chasing validation. It’s about stopping what doesn’t serve us. Sometimes spiritual work is that simple. You notice when you are feeding your ego—wanting recognition, control, comfort, or attention—and you say, “Stop.” Yom Kippur gives us a unique opportunity to do this. To strip away the distractions of the material world and reveal our souls. With this intimate lens, we can clearly see what needs to be released.
Think of it like this: if you wanted to help end hunger in Africa, you could brainstorm endless solutions—or you could look at what’s not working and remove those barriers first. That’s the energy of Yom Kippur. Don’t just focus on doing more good—start by eliminating the negativity that blocks the good you’re already capable of.
Here are a few ways to embody this practice:
Catch and Pause: When you notice yourself spiraling in negative thoughts, seeking approval, or feeding your ego in any way—stop. Interrupt the pattern. Even whispering “stop” can shift your energy.
Allow Joy and Gratitude: This is not a punitive practice nor is about harshly judging ourselves or denying all positive feelings. Appreciation, gratitude, and fulfillment are all antidotes to negativity. Ignite joy against any discomfort.
Visualize Your Highest Self: See yourself as you would be if all the unnecessary weight of ego were lifted. What do you notice about this version of you? Hold that vision as your north star today.
Remove Before Adding: Instead of rushing to “fix” yourself, start by gently releasing what’s not serving you. Clear the path and your own unique spark of Light will naturally flow.
Yom Kippur is not meant to leave us the same as when we entered. A difficult day for the ego is a triumphant day for the soul and our souls work gracefully and simply. There is no forcing, no pushing, just allowing. Allow the discomforts to reveal your soul, gently nurture your gratitude and joy, and when in doubt, reach to the Creator for assistance. Trust that by the end of these 48 hours, you will be forever transformed and capable of sharing more Light than ever before. Not just for yourself but for the entire world.
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