Cohen: First Fast
Do you remember the first time you fasted on Yom Kippur? Was it around the year you had your bar/bat-mitzvah. It sure was not for Harry and his little sister in Barbara Cohen’s First fast. Harry, who was ten at the time of the story, wagered with an older boy that he can go fasting all day. He did it because he wanted finally to play with the bigger boys; he was tired with playing with girls. Or as he corrected himself, he was tired playing girls’ games with them. The wager turned serious and he managed to keep his promise.
What he and his sister, who is telling the story, did not expect was getting a spiritual experience. The books goes on describing the whole day, picking words from prayer book that was suddenly filled with meanings for them. They realized that fasting is easier if they pay attention to the service and try to follow it. It is a great preparation and encouragement for children of the same age to try to participate in Yom Kippur any way they can, written in a simply and eloquent style. I particularly liked the Al Chet segments included, because once can reflect on those even at such a young age.
With this book I finished the reviews of all the story books we have for children about Yom Kippur. As a reminder here are the other three:
Singer: Minnie’s Yom Kippur birthday
Cohen: Yussel’s Prayer
Levitin: A sound to remember
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