Why Do We Fast On Yom Kippur?
At the end of Yom Kippur, we conclude with Neilah and we beg the Al-mighty with these words: “Avinu, Malkeinu—Our Father, our King—seal us in the Book of Good Life." This begs the question: what is good life?
When I last visited the coastal city of Eilat, a place that tends to attract many content with wasting their days in idle pursuits, I attempted to speak to the hearts of the young men who asked for a blessing by suggesting they accept upon themselves the practice of a mitzvah on a regular basis. Most agreed immediately. But one boy said, "This is not why I live here. I came to Eilat to enjoy the good life."
One of the oldest philosophies of the world is hedonism: the quest for contentment through material and physical pleasures. But even ancient Greek and Roman philosophers recognized that hedonism only nourished Man’s animal nature, the lowest aspect of a man’s being. Animal appetites are only temporarily satisfied—then they return with an even greater hunger. Physical satisfaction is temporary at best. While Hedonism lost its major proponents many centuries ago, it continues to crouch at the door.
Indeed, we seem to live in a time when the pleasure principle is gaining momentum as a philosophy and goal. And what occurs in the world impacts our holy nation. Many of our brothers are fooled into believing that taking pleasure from the physical world is a key to happiness. They seek the goals of “free” time; they value “convenience.” But convenience is not a value. And free time is not free.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND APES
Sadly, the Theory of Evolution as well as many of human psychology theories were invented and perpetuated to serve the goal of permissiveness. The reasons for these “movements” were not to advance authentic scientific pursuit, which serve to better our understand of G-d’s world; rather they served to further aid in casting off the yoke of man’s ethical responsibilities by removing boundaries. That is the prime directive of the yetzer horah—the evil inclination within man: to move the border of what’s right, inch by inch. Philosophies add an academic excuse to expiate guilt.
Once a prominent gentile philosopher rejected the teachings of Darwinism, which proposes that man evolved from apes. His approach was simple: He observed the habits of apes. In so doing, he noted that when apes have all material desires available, they play, they romp, and they live without worry. But human beings cannot live like apes. Man will usually experience some tragedy, Rachmana Letzlan, either in their lives, their communities, their inner or outer world... None of us can escape thoughts that creep in. If this is the case, the philosopher questions why apes would seek to destroy their sense of well-being by “evolving.” Why invite the headaches?
Judaism teaches that Man was created separately from animals. Man’s unique aspect is his Soul. Consequently, man is filled with contradictions, beset by conflicts; man struggles with good and evil, wisdom and foolishness, materialism and spirituality... Character traits are at constant battle. Man is never allowed to rest.Our mission is to resolve these internal battles, and to lead intelligent lives where our G-d given talents and tendencies are made useful. Our goal is not to defeat each other, but ourselves.
The Torah teaches the path to perfecting one's self. It maps our conduct in order to dispel conflict, both within and without. This, ultimately, is the key to happiness.
THE CULT OF TECHNOLOGY
If one considers how organized the universe is, it’s easier to recognize that G-d is the Grand Designer of the universe. It is the pressures of daily life and the streams of foreign thoughts that trouble us. The promise of pleasure though hedonistic pursuits. When human energy is expelled on physical pursuits, thoughts become twisted and simple ways of understanding are obscured.
People tend to think in terms of “The Technological Age" and "Modern World" but these are euphemisms for the Cult of Materialism, which is the opposite of spirituality. Those who say that the House of Israel should be like all other nations are expressing their personal values. They are under the false impression that happiness comes from advanced in technology, comfort, the pursuit of wealth... and physical pleasures, both permissible and forbidden. While human beings need to eat and make a living, a Jew must understand that these are a means to a higher end, and not the end in and of itself.
THE MEANING OF FASTING ON YOM KIPPUR
Yom Kippur is a unique time that elevates our character. It is not enough to want to atone for sins—we must also perfect our character traits. Everyone must make an accounting of their souls on this most awesome day. Acceptance upon ourselves of the Torah and G-d’s mitzvos allows us to rectify our character traits.
This is the main purpose behind fasting on Yom Kippur—to release oneself from the bonds of materialism and physicality, because when a person fasts, his body becomes weak; lusts and desires are weakened along with the desire for materialistic pursuits. In such a state, it is easier to raise our spiritual levels and make a reckoning of our souls.
Once a year, we release ourselves from the bounds of materialism allowing us to internalize the truth and value of spirituality. In this time, we accept upon ourselves to raise our spiritual level in the coming year. This is what is meant by "a good life."
In this merit, may we be worthy to a Gmar Chasimah Tovah, the seal for a good year, and to merit open and revealed blessings!
Special Thanks to: Rabbi Yitzchak Kolakowski and Yehudah Leib Meth, for the Translation
Reprinted from the 5774 Yom Kippur message of the Kalever Rebbe.
