As any Rabbi (or Jewish grandmother) will tell you, Yom Kippur is a time when millions of Jews ask the man upstairs for forgiveness. The entire day is spent in reflection in order to avoid getting written down in the big book of sinners. But that spiritual ideal is hard to achieve when all you can think about is the wonderful bagel and schmear that your bubbe (or friend with access to the black market New York bagel trade) will have waiting for you at the break-fast meal. Well, relax, because here at Street we feel your pain. Or, at least, we feel your pangs of hunger. Just follow our guide to an easy fast, and you'll be back to stuffing your face with cheese fries at Greek Lady and overcompensating at the gym before you know it.
* First and foremost, drink, drink, drink! No, not like that. On the day before the holiest of the High Holy Days, a water bottle (one of the big ones, not a pathetic half pint) should be glued to your hand. Duct tape works too. You should be getting up to pee so often that your friends think you have some kind of overactive bladder problem. (Isn't there a pill for that?)
* This tip comes straight from the Jewish mother's mouth: don't eat salty foods for at least a day before the fast. That's tomorrow for those of you who don't have a Jewish calendar. The more salt you eat, the thirstier you'll be. And thirsty repenters are lousy repenters.
* Some (crazies) like to read cookbooks; others prefer Harry Potter. But whatever your personal taste, make sure to have lots of reading material. Bonus points if your book is long and mindless: those foodless hours will fly by with a great distraction.
* Take a nap. Time (obviously) goes faster when you're sleeping. But try to time it so that your blissful hours of mac 'n cheese dreams are during your synagogue's break. God won't be as forgiving as your professors when it comes to falling asleep in His class.
And don't lose heart. After all, it's only one day. And as one Jewish grandmother said, Yom Kippur is, at the very least, a great day to start your diet.
