Safe Yom Kippur
For Yom Kippur, there are many rules and laws, but fasting is the most important one. As is usual on Shabbat, Jews all over the world follow the rules of Yom Kippur and don't eat, drink, or do any kind of work. Little habits like riding a bike became bigger over time. We'll talk about that next.
Teenagers who fast
Children as young as 9 years old can start to fast on Yom Kippur. If your kids say they want to try fasting, you should teach them how to do it right, what to do before and after, and how to listen to their bodies.
A few tips
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Drink plenty of water the day before the fast. -
Eat small meals the day before the fast. -
Limit your intake of coffee-based beverages the day before the fast. -
Eat a healthy, well-balanced meal before the fast. -
After a fast, you should drink water or clear soup and then slowly start eating again.
Riding on Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is now a time to ride bikes. Kids look forward to the holiday when they can "walk and ride" on the streets. It's important for people who walk or ride regular or electric bikes to remember that Israel doesn't have a rule that says you can't drive a car on Yom Kippur, even though it's considered polite to respect the day and not drive. Other vehicles, including ambulances and police cars, can be driven. This makes it even more important to stay alert and follow the safety rules while riding.
You can read here how to ride a bike and electric vehicles safely
A lot of kids and teens get injured every year when they ride bikes, scooters, or roller skates during Yom Kippur.
Remember that kids younger than 9 must be with an adult at all times when they are riding.
Guidelines for riding safely on Yom Kippur
- Anyone who rides a bike, scooter, or roller skate must wear a helmet. You should also wear knee pads.
- When riding a bike, you should be extra aware of your surroundings and listen carefully for cars, especially when crossing roads.
- Ride slowly and carefully.
- Don't forget that there are people walking on the street. Think about them and be careful when you're riding near them.
- You can only ride in the city. Do not ride on roads between cities.
- To keep people safe, use a bell and light. Turn on the lights at night.
Note
Note
Only teenagers and adults (16 years of age or older), those who have obtained a driver's license, and those who have passed either a competence test for riding an electric bicycle or a theory test approved by the National Road Safety Authority, may ride electrical bikes. A working bike with a maximum power of 250 watts is also important.
You can read here how to ride a bike and electric vehicles safely
Check the condition of both regular and electric bicycles before riding them
- Ensure the brakes are working properly.
- Check tire pressure.
- Test the lights and reflectors.
- Inspect the chain to ensure it's well-oiled and properly tensioned.
- Adjust the saddle to the correct height and check its stability.
- Confirm the bell or horn is functioning.
Injuries on Yom Kippur
Most of the kids who went to the emergency room on Yom Kippur were hurt when they crashed with other cyclists, fell off their bikes, or were hit by another car. These kinds of accidents can cause serious head injuries!