Well, according to Ezra 8:21, it's understood to mean fasting. According to the Complete Jewish Bible (translated from the original Hebrew by a Jew who believes Yeshua IS the Messiah), Lev. 23:27 says "....you are to deny yourselves...."

This has been translated to mean abstaining not only from food, but from other pleasures as well, to help us focus on how our whole existence hangs in the balance this 1 day of the year. The whole point of Yom Kippur is Repentance.

So, I have to respectfully disagree with your comment.