Israel Matzav

Most Israelis fast on Yom Kippur

Approximately two-thirds of Jewish Israelis will fast this Yom Kippur and over 80 percent will use the day either to pray or for general introspection, a new survey published on Monday revealed.

In the poll conducted by the Gesher social cohesion organization in conjunction with Ynet, 64% of respondents said they would refrain from eating and drinking for the duration of the 25-hour Yom Kippur fast, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.

Yom Kippur is traditionally devoted to prayer and fasting to bring about divine compassion for the transgressions committed during the year past.

The Panels Research Institute carried out the survey among 502 Jewish Israelis aged 18 and over, with a margin of error of 4.3%.

Forty-six percent of respondents said they would go to synagogue for at least some of the daylong prayer services, while 36% said they would use the day to spend quality time on personal introspection or with their families.

Gesher chairman Daniel Goldman said the results of the survey demonstrated that there was a consensus in the country that Yom Kippur represents a central day in the Israeli calendar across the board, regardless of one’s religious background.

Labels: Yom Kippur

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:36 AM