are you jewish? If so do you fast on Yom Kipur? Why?

I'm an ultra-orthodox jew and the reason for fasting is simply because it is commanded explictly in the bible. On a very simple level I"ll explain that if you look at the description the Torah uses when commanding the jews to fast, the torah uses some sort of adjective that means to mortify oneself. Basically through the pain of fasting (among many other rituals) one is atoned for.

I am Jewish and I fast on Yom Kippur.

I fast because I'm supposed to. When I became a Bat Mitzvah, I took on all the responsibilities of an adult in my religion. One of these responsibilities is fasting on Yom Kippur. I feel obligated to do it.

I usually end up eating around 5 o'clock, though, an hour before I'm supposed to. Curse those small children I babysit with their cookies and juice.

I am Jewish and I fast on Yom Kippur because it is the holiest day of the year and we fast for much less: through fasting we can think about spiritual and not bodily matters. We can turn our full attention to G-d and ask Him for forgiveness of our sins during the year.

im jewish and i fast every year on Yom Kippur because it is the most sacred day of the year and I have to ask G-d for forgiveness for my sins.

I'm Jewish and I do not fast on Yom Kippur, however I am non-Orthodox.

I fast.

I do so because not thinking about food allows me to focus my mind, for a full day, on purely spiritual matters.

I'm not jewish. However, I have done some research on the feast of atonement also known as Yom Kipur and this is what I found and I hope it helps:

FASTING AND CESSATION OF WORK ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

On the Day of Atonement, both Israelites and non-Israelites who were considered a part of the nation were commanded to fast and cease work during this very important celebration:

"And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourns among you" (Lev.16:29 KJV).

"And you shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and you shall afflict your souls: you shall not do any work therein" (Num.29:7 KJV).

In Leviticus 23:27-32, God commands the Israelites to keep an assembly and offer sacrifices to the Lord on this day. Again, he gives the command to fast and to refrain from doing any work during this day:

"Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And you shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God" (Lev.23:27-28 KJV).

Verses 29 and 30 show the warning that the death penalty would be administered to anyone who refused to fast or cease from work on this day.

"For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people. And whatsoever soul it be that does any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people" (Lev.23:29-30 KJV).

"You shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be to you a sabbath of rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall you celebrate your sabbath" (Lev.23:31-32 KJV).

Verses 29-30 reveal that there are two distinct violations of this celebration which would cause the violator to come under the death penalty.

WHY WAS THERE A COMMAND TO FAST?

Why would God impose the death penalty on those who disobeyed his command to fast on this day? The answer is simple when the covenant relationship the Israelites had with their Creator is understood.

The Book of Exodus and many other sources show that God promised to dwell with the Israelites, walk among them, be their protector and benefactor, and bestow upon them many other blessings, if they would obey his way of life. However, before God would come to dwell and walk among them, there were certain rules and conditions of physical purity with which the Israelites had to comply.

Because the Israelites did not diligently obey the laws concerning physical purity, God could not walk among them. However, his presence did reside within the tabernacle.

If God removed his presence from the tabernacle, all of the physical benefits the Israelites derived from having him dwell among them would be lost. These benefits included prosperity, health, and national security and protection.

God wanted them to understand the seriousness of this celebration and the consequences if he did not accept the sacrificial offerings on this day. The removal of his presence from Israel would bring disaster upon the nation and its people.

Fasting was a way to remind the Israelites of the seriousness of this celebration and their individual responsibly to maintain purity and right-standing before their God and benefactor.

If an Israelite was unwilling to fast on this day, it would show contempt and lack of respect for God and his ways. This individual would be dealt with as someone in rebellion against God.

I used to fast but not any more.

Yes, yes, the Torah says so.

no my mate is and he does but i aint got a notion as to why