Basking Ridge, NJ — Last week, Ruthy Levinstein, of the Somerset County Levinsteins, opened her Bible, and saw that The Torah doesn’t actually say to not eat food on Yom Kippur. Instead, Leviticus 23, instructs us to afflict ourselves and deny ourselves, but does not go into specifics of what that entails. Levinstein decided to take matters into her own hands, and observe the Jewish Day of Atonement in an Unorthodox manner…both literally and figuratively.

“I have Celiac Disease,” Levinstein shared in an Instagram story. “Since I’m not supposed to eat, touch, or look at gluten, I decided to indulge myself…out of affliction! I spent my entire day yesterday eating gluten! I went to the mall food court and just cut loose! First I went to McDonald’s and ate an entire day’s worth of calories, but I couldn’t stop there! I was already in too deep. Then I went to Cinnabon for a pecan roll, and then I went to Auntie Anne’s for an original pretzel with no salt. That was followed by a dozen Munchkins from Dunkin Donuts, and a Cheesy Gordita Crunch at Taco Bell. After T Bell, I ordered some samosas and garlic naan from Mumbai To Go, and finally orange chicken and cream cheese rangoons from Panda Express. I even hit up Sbarro for some crappy pizza, just because I could! I was starting to feel like Joey Chestnut at this point. I was unstoppable!!! So I swung by Subway for a sub sample, and then I ventured to my favorite out parcel and topped everything off with a slice of French silk pie from Bakers Square. I thought I was finally finished, but, as I was driving away, I noticed an Olive Garden in the distance, and I really needed some breadsticks and fettuccine alfredo! I was like the very hungry caterpillar/Jewterpillar!! And, also, it turns out I have a tape worm. It felt so good emotionally to be able to do this, but I’m definitely paying the price, because I, unsurprisingly, wound up in the hospital! I will be afflicted by this for the next two months, at least. I denied myself my health, so I feel I have fulfilled the requirement of Yom Kippur in The Torah. I also afflicted my bank account, as fast food is anything but cheap these days. Not to mention the hospital bill I’ll be stuck with now. I also kind of wished I had picked higher quality food, but that Quarter Pounder with cheese hits differently when it’s forbidden. I honestly could have done this everyday for a week and still not have eaten all the things I miss, but even recklessness has its limits. Case in point, I’m in the hospital.”

While afflicting yourself comes in many forms, we do not recommend putting your health and or safety in jeopardy to do it.

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