Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, is a day of atonement, reflection, and fasting. Jews traditionally abstain from food and drink for 25 hours, stepping back from physical indulgence to focus on the soul and one’s responsibilities.
The core values of Yom Kippur of compassion, non-harm, and reflection, closely align with the ethics of veganism. It is a time for teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity), centered on self-reflection, making amends, and becoming more aware of one’s impact on others and the world.
Meanwhile, Veganism is the practice of avoiding animal products for ethical, environmental, and/or health reasons, rooted in values of reducing harm, living compassionately, and treading lightly on the earth. Indeed, Yom Kippur emphasises personal responsibility and avoiding harm, which parallels vegan objectives to prevent harm to animals and the planet.
Many harms in our food system, like factory farming and deforestation, are hidden, yet Yom Kippur calls us to take accountability even for indirect harm. Jewish teachings such as tza’ar ba’alei chayim (preventing animal suffering) and bal tashchit (do not waste) support plant-based values, and many Jewish leaders and communities are embracing veganism as aligned with Jewish ethics. Ultimately, Yom Kippur is about aligning actions with values. Veganism offers a way to extend its themes of compassion, self-reflection, and responsibility into daily life.