What is the symbolic meaning of fasting on Yom Kippur?
Thanks for taking the time to ask your question. First and foremost, here’s a link that explains symbolic interactionism in detail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_interactionism . In order to understand this psychological and sociological perspective, it’s probably important to understand at least a little bit about the philosophical school known as American pragmatism, especially as it was formulated by the noted psychologist William James. James argued that people’s beliefs come about due to a process of “working”; that is to say, the things that one believes are those that best explain the world around oneself. Different people have different beliefs because of the different experiences and stimuli they’ve had throughout their lives. In a very real sense, American pragmatism is relativistic (at least in this form; later ones–notably Richard Rorty’s–tend to shed at least some of this trait). Sy
Leviticus 23:27 decrees that Yom Kippur is a strict day of rest. Six additional prohibitions are traditionally observed, as detailed in the Jewish oral tradition (Mishnah tractate Yoma 8:1): No eating and drinking No wearing of leather shoes No bathing or washing No anointing oneself with perfumes or lotions No marital relations No dealing with money [with an exception of games which use play money] Total abstention from food and drink usually begins 30 minutes before sundown (called tosefet Yom Kippur, lit. “Addition to Yom Kippur”), and ends after nightfall the following day. Although the fast is requiredof all healthy adults, it is waived in the case of certain medical conditions. Virtually all Jewish holidays involve a ritual feast, but since Yom Kippur involves fasting, Jewish law requires one to eat a large and festive meal on the afternoon before Yom Kippur, after the Mincha afternoon prayer. Wearing white clothing, for men a Kittel, is traditional to symbolize one’s purity on t
