How to Prepare a Yom Kippur Eve Feast

The Yom Kippur Eve Feast is the pre-fast meal and an important part of atonement. Eat the food with joy and acceptance that it's a time to forgive and be forgiven. These tips can make your meal enjoyable and your fast easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Teach your children that eating the day before the Yom Kippur fast is different from any other day. It should be done slowly and joyfully in preparation for the Day of Atonement.
2. Stay away from caffeine a few days before the fast to prevent withdrawal headaches and irritability. Use only small amounts of salt and spices in the Yom Kippur Eve Feast.
3. Make a schedule of small meals every couple of hours throughout the day before the fast. This prevents your stomach from being empty once you reach the final pre-fast meal, which can lead to overeating.
4. Plan to serve the final several hours before sunset so you can enjoy it. Getting food on the table at about 4:30, if sunset is at about 6, should give you time to eat, clean up and prepare yourself for Yom Kippur.
5. Find authentic Jewish recipes from friends, cookbooks or online at jewishfood-list.com website. Begin the meal with soup. Include kreplach (a meat filled pasta dumpling) in your chicken soup. Try sweet potato or pumpkin soup with a dairy or vegetarian meal.
6. Prepare a poultry dish for protein before the fast. Stuff chicken breasts with wild rice, pine nuts and raisins for a healthy meal.
7. Consider a dairy or vegetarian meal before the Yom Kippur Eve Feast to make sure no one ends up feeling stuffed. Casseroles, crepes and peppers stuffed with brown rice, TVP (textured vegetable protein) or ground tofu and chopped tomatoes are good choices.

Tips & Warnings

• Find food that's easy to digest so stomach discomfort doesn't deter you from focusing on what's important.
• Don't eat meat during the Yom Kippur evening meal.