why do you fast on yom kippur

Jews fast on Yom Kippur as a commandment from the Torah to "afflict your souls" and practice self-denial. Fasting on this Day of Atonement is a spiritual practice meant to bring internal calm, focus on repentance, and foster a deep connection with God by removing physical distractions. It symbolizes atonement, sacrifice, and purification by refraining from food and drink, enabling individuals to concentrate fully on prayer, introspection, and seeking forgiveness for sins. The fast is viewed as a form of sacrifice that replaces the ancient animal sacrifices and allows the soul to take precedence over bodily needs.