For Jews around the world, it is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the Jewish year. And in Israel, this manifests itself in a very special way. The country comes to a literal halt at sundown, and like that Arcade Fire song, No Cars Go.
The streets and highways are quiet. Empty. Across the whole country. The religious folks spend the holiday fasting and praying. But the secular folks seize the opportunity to bike, rollerblade, and otherwise play in the empty streets.
Over the past few decades, Yom Kippur has become THE day for bikes in Israel. Bike retailers see a huge increase in sales in the days leading up to Yom Kippur, as parents buy their kids their first bike, or upgrade them to a nicer one, so they are all set to ride all day long.
Read all about it in this Jerusalem Post article. And watch this Youtube video from last year, Riding on Yom Kippur 2009.
And an Easy Fast to all who are observing Yom Kippur!
