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There is a biblical mitzva to fast on Yom Kippur as part of atoning for our sins, as we read, “This shall be to you a law for all time: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall practice self-denial… For on this day atonement shall be made for you to purify you of all your sins; you shall purify yourselves before the Lord. It shall be a Shabbat of complete rest for you, and you shall deprive yourselves; it is a law for all time” (Leviticus 16:29-31). This mitzva primarily refers to refraining from eating and drinking, but it includes five forms of self-denial. Besides the prohibition of eating, the others are washing, applying cream, wearing leather shoes, and having sexual relations. (We will elaborate on these in section 13.)
Why is fasting so important, so that even a morsel of food or a drop of water is forbidden? Throughout the year, the soul is enveloped by a cloak of physicality. Due to a variety of physical desires, people forget their inner aspirations and err. God commanded us to fast on Yom Kippur to loosen the chains binding our souls to our bodies and the material world. As a result, our noble aspirations can freely express themselves and sins lose their appeal. True, fasting and the other forms of self-denial make it harder for us to concentrate. However, they allow us to come to the profound realization that our true will is to cling to God, to be good, and to improve the world by following the Torah’s instructions and living by its light. This realization leads us to a more profound repentance, everyone on their own level.
Therefore, someone who cannot both fast and go to synagogue to pray should stay in bed and keep fasting. This should not make one sad, because by fasting one is taking part in the most fundamental aspect of Yom Kippur. Furthermore, one can use this opportunity to think about self-improvement, and resolve to increase Torah study, mitzva observance, and commitment to the family.
