Yom Kippur Inspiration: Eat Well

Rabbi Silber explores why the Gemara counts eating on Erev Yom Kippur as though you'd fasted two days, drawing on the Shela's answer: Yom Kippur is actually the most joyous day on the Jewish calendar, the day we are forgiven and handed a clean slate, and the feast beforehand exists to put us in that joyful mindset before a day that could otherwise feel heavy simply because it happens to be a fast. He reminds listeners that the awe of being judged should be outweighed by the confidence that comes from being judged by a Father who wants our success more than we do.

• Eating well on Erev Yom Kippur is itself a mitzvah, meant to prepare your heart for joy, not just your body for the fast.
• Yom Kippur is the most joyful day of the year because it means your slate is wiped clean and you get a fresh start.
• Don't let the fact that Yom Kippur is a fast day trick you into treating it like a day of sadness.
• Being judged by Hashem should bring less anxiety than human judgment, because He wants your success more than you do.
• Simcha and awe can coexist on Yom Kippur; the joy of the day should outweigh, without erasing, the fear.