Meditation Before Yom Kippur for One Who Cannot Fast

Though Yom Kippur is a fasting holiday — a day during which we abstain from eating, drinking, and even brushing our teeth or using perfumes — Jewish tradition recognizes that fasting is not a safe practice for all Jews.

For this reason, children under the age of 13 and individuals who are pregnant or ill are not required to fast in Yom Kippur.

For those who fall into this category, the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services provides a special meditation to recite instead, written by Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub.

Ribbono shel Olam / Master of the Universe;
Creator of All, Source of All Life,
Who Knows What is Deep in Human Hearts,
Who Nurtures Every Living Being:
As You know, dear G!d,
Yom Kippur is fast approaching, and because of my condition,
I am not able to keep the traditional fast —
I cannot abstain totally from eating.

...

You know, dear G!d, that it is not my intent
to be apart from our people and our tradition. ...



To see the rest of this beautiful, intentional prayer, please visit:

http://www.reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/meditation-yom-kippur-one-who-cannot-fast