Why do Torah observant Jews fast on Yom Kippur?
It's simple, the torah says in Leviticus 16:29-30; "In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD". From this pasuk the Holy Sages derive 5 laws to support Gd's commandment on Yom Kippur:
1)no Eat or drink
2)no bathe or washwear
3) no leather shoes, leather sandals or any other leather footgear
4)no marital relations
5)no anoint oneself
From a Kabbalistic perspective, these laws are too restrict the ego so an individual can be more of a pure channel receiving the of light Yom Kippur; thus cleansing the soul .... But from a more Torah Rational Perspective, these laws are to intensify the focus of repentance/atonement which is also the purpose of Yom Kippur. By the way, if you're ever wondering about the origins of fasting here's a cool article http://www.howtofast.net/context/fasting-origins.html
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