- Shabbat and Holidays
- Laws of Yom Kippur
Leather shoes on Yom Kippur
Question
On the day of Yom Kippur, when fasting, many things are prohibited, including that you can not wear leather shoes or wash hands.
What is the reason for the prohibition of leather shoes and washing hands?
Answer
The Torah commands us on Yom Kippur to "afflict yourselves". Primarily this means not to eat or drink but our Rabbis explained that it includes other afflictions such as the ones you mentioned. The main reason is to remove ourselves as much as we can from our bodily pleasures and material needs and to make ourselves as holy as we can be on this special day to the extent of emulating the angels. The prohibitions themselves are also an atonement to the sins which were stemmed from our material and physical desires.
Shanna Tova

Yom Kipur Shofar after Havdalla?
Various Rabbis | 18 Tishrei 5768

Eating in Shiurim
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Tishrei 3, 5779

Yom Kippur on Shabbos
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 27, 5774

Rabbi Yoel Lieberman

Swimming together with siblings
Av 29, 5769

Golden altar of Incense
Elul 14, 5769

Erev rav
Av 29, 5769

Modern laws vs Shulchan Orach
Av 28, 5769

Tofu on Passover
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 4, 5775

Is non ground bulgur chametz?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 8, 5781

Pesach - leaving home before Pesach
Rabbi David Sperling | Adar II 22, 5771
Is Induction Cooktop good for Pessach?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Cheshvan 11, 5770

Understanding Jewish work ethic & success
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 15, 5783
Do i need to fast?
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Adar 16, 5783
