A Jew prays at the Western Wall
A Jew prays at the Western WallIsrael news photo: Flash 90

As Jewish people in Israel and around the world are preparing for Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, Arutz Sheva brings you some tips on how to prepare for the 25-hour fast, which begins at sundown on Tuesday evening and ends on Wednesday evening:

1.       It is recommended to drink at least two liters of water a day (10 cups) on the days before the fast

2.       Eat whole grains before the fast, as whole grains provide us with more energy over longer periods of time.

3.       Avoid sugar and fruits.  Sugar highs and lows can cause headaches and the body also requires extra fluid to remove the sugar from the system.

4.       Eat a lot of vegetables.  Vegetables are a great source of both energy and fluid.

5.       Those who drink significant amounts of beverages containing caffeine daily (coffee, non-herb teas, colas) are advised to reduce the amount gradually, starting several days before the fast to prevent caffeine addiction symptoms which can include headaches and nausea.

6.       The last meal before the fast, known as the seudah hamafseket, should not include unfamiliar, spicy, or fried foods, and should omit vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli.

7.       After the fast, those who have abstained from drinking and eating are advised to rehydrate slowly, with a sweet drink, and begin eating with a snack, followed approximately one hour later by a light meal.

8.       Foods like bagels, lox, and cream cheese are standard for the meal which breaks the fast, but it is recommended to try instead to open the meal with a light vegetable soup.  A great soup to eat after fasting is miso soup, a recipe for which can be found here.