Why Do We Fast? with Rabbi Ari Averbach

Bad Jew

Yom Kippur is notorious for the strenuous difficult key feature task of fasting for 25 hours. Beyond just getting the rumbles in your tummy, starving for prolonged periods of time with no water leads to headaches, fatigue, and a lack of ability to focus. So how could it possible do any good for a time when we must reflect and pray?

Rabbi Ari Averbach is no stranger to the importance of this act. Whether it's the high holidays or another fasting day, Rabbi Averbach brings attention to the deeper meaning of this holy ritual. Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, learns from Ari, who now heads the synagogue that Chaz grew up in. Learn from Rabbi Ari Averbach and Chaz Volk in order to add more depth to your high holidays.

00:00 Introduction

04:13 Blending storytelling, Torah, and life's pivotal moments

07:52 Understanding Yom Kippur's significance and practices discussed

12:18 Modern Judaism evolved beyond original Torah teachings

14:51 Yom Kippur fasting questioned for focus validity

17:08 Deciding between comfort and traditional discomfort

22:14 Yom Kippur questions identity in face of death

25:01 Purim and Yom Kippur: Reflection, celebration, identity

28:18 Facing death daily, alleviated by prayer reflections

30:34 Stoicism and reflection: growth through difficult situations

34:41 Conclusion

About Rabbi Ari Averbach:

Rabbi Ari Averbach has served as Senior Rabbi at Temple Etz Chaim since July 2019.

Rabbi Averbach grew up in Agoura Hills, a student of the public schools and Los Angeles Hebrew High School. He graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, spending several years working in film and television. His volunteering, especially with Jewish World Watch, a non-profit organization fighting genocide in Darfur and Congo, changed his career path. Through this work, he was a guest lecturer at dozens of synagogues, churches, schools and summer camps around Southern California.

Rabbi Averbach was ordained at AJU’s Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where he was presented the Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence and was honored to be elected the class speaker. During school, he earned certification in chaplaincy at Children’s Hospital, and served as the rabbinic intern at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino.

Rabbi Averbach previously served as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook, Illinois, and volunteered as a chaplain at local hospitals. He was the founding leader of the Rabbinical Assembly affinity group for Assistant Rabbis and served as Treasurer of the local RA chapter.

He was featured on CBS News, quoted in the New York Times, and was a contributor to Says You.

As a family, Ari, his wife Vanessa, a high school English teacher, and their three children, spend free time going for long walks, doing crossword puzzles and riding bikes.

Connect with Rabbi Ari Averbach:

www.TempleEtzChaim.org

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