Halocho #1180 - The Yom Kippour Mitzva

There is a Mitzva in the Torah unique to Yom Kippour: afflicting oneself. 

To fulfill this Mitzva properly one should keep in mind that the Yom Kippour restrictions are a fulfillment of this 25-hour long Mitzva. This Mitzva includes the following prohibitions: 

- On Yom Kippour one may not eat nor drink, even when Yom Kippour is on Shabbat, like this year. If fasting will affect your health, contact a doctor and a Rabbi for instructions. (Note: often doctors assume that "fasting" means "not eating but drinking" - so be specific.)

- On Yom Kippour one may not bathe; one may not even get wet unnecessarily. Upon awakening and after relieving oneself one can wash until the knuckles. Before Birkat Cohanim, the Cohanim wash until their wrists. 

- On Yom Kippour no anointing is allowed. This includes perfumes and deodorants. 

- On Yom Kippour one may not wear leather shoes.  

- On Yom Kippour one may not have marital relations. 

All the above are forbidden from candle-lighting on Erev Yom Kippour (Friday afternoon, this week) until after Havdala some 25 hours later.

 Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 133:1

 Gmar Vechatima Tova

 - Danny
 Wednesday, 7 Tishrei 5774