More and more people are realizing that Yom Kippur is a remarkable day - the quality of air improves, noise pollution plummets, there's a chance to be out on the pavements and roads in relative safety, and walk or cycle or skate and see the world at eye level and at a walking pace. Rather than forseeing the end of Yom Kippur, I prophecy that in a few years time we will celebrate 2-4 such days a year - there is a thirst for the quiet and release from the bustle of everyday life.

on what if situation, sheesh I bet she is always got headache.

Tali, I have to disagree. Even us, the not so religious and eat between meals kind of fast, thought that yesterday in Tel Aviv, was simply, magical. Roads were empty of cars and noise. Families, both religious and secular, walking, talking and just enjoying. I think, that ALL major cities should try a day without cars..does wonders for the soul..and by the way, Tali, you married??..LOL!!

THOSE OBSERVANT OF YOM KIPPOR DO NOT WEAR PATENT LEATHER SHOES OR LEATHER SHOES DURING YOM KIPPOR... WE BROKE FREE OF THE EGYPTIAN LEATHER SHACKLES AND I DONT KNOW ABOUT LITTLE BOYS PLAYING BALL AND NOT HAVING CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TORAH LEARNING FOR CHILDREN OR ANY RELATED THINGS.... TALI..AND I AM NOT HASID I DONT HAVE A BEARD I AM A TORAH OBSERVANT JEW DOING THE BEST I CAN, BUT YOU SAY AS A TORAH RELIGIOUS GIRL? WEARING A HEAD COVERING? NOW I AM CONFUSED.. FORGIVE ME FOR BEING SO PICKY BUT I BELIEVE ITS IMPORATANT TO BE LEAR ON SUCH MATTERS.. TEL AVIV? LAST YEAR A RABBI CAME TO OUR SHUL ASKING FOR DONATIONS TO HELP FIGHT THE DRUGS THE PROSTITUIONS ETC ETC IN THE STREETS OF TEL AVIV. DID TEL AVIV CHANGE. I DONT THINK SO MAYBE YOU ARE BECOMING MORE AWARE AS YOU GROW IN TORAH... ANYWAY TALI..I AM SEPHARDIC IN BROOKLYN NY..AND A KOAHINE. DO OYU HAVE A SISTER THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU? GOOD HEALTHY PROSPEROUS YEAR TO YOU AND ALL YISRAELI ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I've lived in Tel Aviv for 10 years. There is the occasional driver on Yom Kippur. Mostly just doing it to draw attention and be 'alternative' Most people tend to just ignore them and go about their business on this holy day which is all about repentance and considering ones relationship with the almighty who judges us. Yom Kippur is all about this and not about humans judging others. Maybe Tali should take one day off a year (Yom Kippur) just one day not to judge other people and maybe you'll feel a more well adjusted individual like the majority of Tel Avivis do!

Is this what you thought the whole Yom Kipur ??? Shame !!! I think more are coming back to the Jewish Fold look at the statistics

Did Tali Farkash become a prophet? She can see into the future now? If you ask me there won't be anyone driving in TA streets on Yom Kippur for years to come because it's just such a damn cool event. No traffic. Any Tel-Avivian can appreciate that except maybe a few stroppy teenagers (which this article could have been easily written by). Tali, I think you're jealous of the secular way of life. Your constant rants against us only speak to your insecurities and doubts about the invisible God that stopped appearing before man around about the same time of the Scientific Revolution and insane asylums. You clearly want to wear something sexy and go party because you know you're a babe and you could go a long way as a newscaster or weather girl or something. Pardon my primitiveness I was raised in an Orthodox household and it can be difficult to get over the idea that women were "created" for the pleasure of men. Now go and emancipate yourself already.

so in democracy laws are made by the majority and the minority must agree polls show that about 80% israelis keepyom kippur jews want yom kippur quiet you can travel to gentile country and let jews in their own land be quiet

It's called shabat...

I believe in G*d 100% but would be considered secular by many Orthodox, but I wouldn't dream of driving in TA on Yom Kippur! I desperately wanted to take photographs of the smiling families sitting in the middle of the road, and the kids enjoying a wonderful day , but didn't even think twice about taking my camera with me when I went out for a long walk. I would personally step in front of any car the drove on Yom Kippur in Tel Aviv. Mike

Tali, on this you are wrong. Yom Kippur provides Tel Aviv with the best street party in the world and there is no way we'll give up a party like this one. I did see a single car driving up Jabotinsky about 45 minutes before the end of Yom Kippur, and people very moved slowly out of the path yelling and angry at the elderly woman behind the wheel: she had her window down and was apologizing --she'd forgotten to set back her watch...

One, if anyone wishes to drive a car on Yom Kippur it is their sovereign right to do so. Two, your articles are very badly written and composed, your thoughts are not expressed coherently and usually full of nonsense as in this case.

even the moderately traditional and outright secular like to wander around and watch our kids ride their bikes safely on Emek Refaim and Derech Hebron in Jerusalem.....its the one day of the year no one has to dodge traffic, every pedestrian and bicyclist owns the streets, there's no pollution and utter quiet---total freedom from the noise pollution that racks the city streets the other 364 days of the year. Nope--we ALL want to keep Yom Kippur even if we don't all fast or worship.

First, Tali is beautiful woman. Second, she said something, don't recall what though. Third, Tali is a beautiful woman. One last thing: over here we don't turn-on Daylight Savings Time just to make a fast go quicker. If it's possible to alter the length of a commanded fast, then it's possible to alter ANYTHING in the Torah to suit our whims. I don't think that's a good idea. In fact, Israel looks kind of silly for doing it.

seriously?! i don't agree or disagree with you sweetie, but - in a country where the hassidim are losing their tempers and the seculars are welcoming arabs into their parliament...what do you expect. i am not ashamed of being a jew but i am ashamed of being associated with israelis who make indecent headlines. in an arab country they would be stoned, thats why the arabs are ahead, they either stick together or kill each other. we can learn something. by the way, i heard there are elderly holocaust survivors who can attest to the fact that jews gave their lives to fulfill yom kippur. these men and women had to be given food stamps so they can feed themselves in israel. in ny only lazy 15th generation african ex-slaves are treated to this shameful privelage. shame on you israelis

before the Jews of Israel turned into another day at the beach and shopping some chinese made dreck. Take back the Shabbos Shabat and get together with your families and FRIENDS AND SAVOUR the day of rest. Keep the bloody car in the garage, give it a rest and learn to breath. Life is a very short business, you are here today and history tomorrow. As for Yom Kippur, we all need that time to relect on our lives and how we can better ourselves. We are not that important in the overall sphere of things.

I find it difficult, if not downright impossible to believe that this article could have been written by a haredi, or a dati leumi, or even by a traditional secular. It's my opinion that "Tali Fartsquash" is just Yair Lapid wearing a sheitel and a dress (which is so horrible, they used a professional model with poufy lips for the picture).

I saw a car driving down Hayarkon in Tel Aviv as I was walking in the middle of the street. Though I am not religious I still think this action was very disrespectful. And I think most secular Jews would agree with me too.

I am shocked that Ynet spend money and time to publish an article like this one from Tali Farkash. Where did so get here information from? Is there an official survey? I think she has nothing else to do and decided, after talking to some friends probably, to write an article about her own frustration. As I known from most surveys about this same subject, a big majority of Israeli's love the special atmosphere on Yom Kippur, the empty streets, the quiet and the kids riding their bike. If Tali doesn't like this, my advise to her is to move to another country, where on Yom Kippur every day live is going on.

Maybe if you tried enjoying the peace and clean air you would not sound like such a whiner. Sure, many of us do not fast or go to shul, but we still enjoy the uniqueness of a day such as Yom Kippur. We enjoy our families and friends, we breathe clean air and the ability to actually have a "quiet" rest--and we are proud that we are Jews on this day.

Yom Kippur works because no one has tried to legislate it. the minute some MK gets it into his head to try and legislate no driving we are done for! Tali just fast flash questions for you: How could you? Less than 24 hours after Yom Kippur how could you write such dribbled bathed in baseless hatred! What's the matter with you girl? Are so righteous that you are sure we are going to forgive your silliness in time for Hoshana Raba?

different are Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The former is similar to a modern European city with all its respendent amenities whereas the latter makes us wonder which century, the 21st or the 19th, we are really living in. This especially holds true on Shabbat. Yet the two together are the most important of all Israeli cities in terms of influence on our society. I suppose Tali's hysterical journalistic piece also signifies her cognitive dislocation when trying to comprehend the nation itself. That being said, it would really help if Tali got off her high horse and ceased assuming what's in other peoples' minds (the secular of Tel Aviv). Perhaps she needs to find an outlet in fiction.

I can't understand why she has a job. Not pretty. Can't write. Not funny. Idiotic article. Sorry Ynet, but the left is bankrupt, and Tel Aviv denizens can make do one day without latte. Eze shtuyot, ya alla!

In a few years years from now - maybe even tomorrow you will have to answer for all your foolishness. Dont say you didnt know. Even you leftists who,ve been spoonfed Truth-hatred your whole lives are given the opportunity to use your brain - to get to know the real you. Here, this is your opportunity - dont say you had no choice. You have the choice. Just remember where you heard it first... or even if you dont remember where, just remember! just remember that you too will have to answer - very soon. Will you stand there like a fool with nothing to say....

Is it more important not to drive on Yom Kippur or to attend services? I have a friend, who lives ca 5 miles from the nearest synagogue and whose daughter is handicapped and must use a wheelchair. She catches hell, if she doesn't go to the synagogue and she catches hell, if she does. If she didn't drive, her daughter would never see the inside of a synagogue on Shabbat or holidays. So, again: What's more important?

I think that it's a tragedy that many secular kids know Yom Kippur only as a day to ride bicycles in the street.

We're talking about Israel. Not the galut. People can do what they want in the galut. But the majority of people in Israel want it this way even if they are not fasting.