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ASK THE RABBI

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

Guidance for Somone

Unable to Fast on Yom Kippur

ome people find it very dif- How do we measure melo lugmav? to eat immediately after drinking
ficult to fast. In some cases, The fill of one's cheeks is of course (or vice versa) without waiting nine
Sthey are not allowed to fast for different for everyone. It's easy to minutes. However, one should be
medical reasons. When there is a measure. Fill the mouth with water careful about liquidy foods that
doubt as to whether one should fast, and spit it out into a disposable cup. could fall into either category (such
one should consult a rabbi. If this is Divide that amount into two using as crushed fruit, porridge, etc.). One
not possible and there is real doubt another cup. The amount in both should not eat or drink within nine
(i.e. fasting could endanger life), one cups is now melo lugmav. Before minutes of consuming them.
should avoid fasting. A sick person
must not fast contrary to the doc- Yom Kippur, mark that amount on What bracha should one say when
a cup and only drink that amount
tor’s instructions. eating and drinking?
each time (see Nishmat Avraham
Is it permissible to use medication 1, 5212,9). Or measure out the When eating or drinking in shiurin,
majority of a revi'it, which is less
that helps ease the fast, before Yom it is enough to make a bracha over
Kippur? than 44ml, and preferably less than the first portion (unless there has
38ml (there are shot glasses and been a long time between portions
Of course, even though it makes even plastic bags that contain the or the mind has been distracted).
fasting easier. On Yom Kippur, there required amount nowadays, which One should not say a bracha ach-
is no obligation of mourning or sad- you can even discreetly drink from rona (a bracha after eating) when
ness. We refrain from eating and in shul). Once there is no further eating in shiurin.
drinking, but there is no obligation need to drink in shiurin, one must
to feel uncomfortable. It is prefera- stop drinking. Can I shower to regain strength for
ble for a healthy person who fasts the fast?
easily not to take these pills. What is one allowed to drink? If a person is weak and feels he

Prayer or eating? According to the Nefesh Chayah, needs to break the fast, it is per-
only water. However, most poskim missible to take a shower rather
The Chatam Sofer wrote that it is hold that you may also drink a tasty than to eat or drink (a shower was
better not to go to synagogue if it drink. In fact, it may even be pref- even allowed for a choleh she’ain bo
may cause one not to fast. It is pref- erable to drink a tasty drink – Yom sakana – a patient in no danger) if
erable to pray on one’s own, rather Kippur is a Yom Tov, and if you it will indeed help him get through
than drink shiurin (small amounts) must drink it is better to enjoy it. the fast.
even one time. One who is weak and Additionally, drinking a sweetened
can only fast if he remains in bed beverage may help prevent eating Pills on Yom Kippur
all day, should not attempt to go to and drinking later on.
synagogue. He should pray by him- A choleh she’ain bo sakana who
self as best he can. Attending syn- How should one eat when must continue taking pills even on
agogue and/or praying are of sec- necessary? Yom Kippur may swallow them
ondary importance to the biblical without water. If water is necessary,
obligation to fast. When eating is necessary, it is ‘damage’ the water before swallow-
better to eat less than the size of a ing (with something bitter or with a
If necessary, how should one drink? “large dried date” once every nine little salt – a way that people would
minutes. This is about 30cc, roughly not normally drink water). If the pill
Even in a case where drinking is the size of a regular matchbox (even has a taste, wrap it in thin paper and
necessary, it would be better to a portion of food that only becomes swallow it wrapped.
drink less than a melo lugmav – the smaller than a matchbox after
fill of one’s cheeks, every nine min- grinding it is permissible).
utes. If necessary, there are opinions Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of
which allow drinking at more fre- When a person both eats and drinks Mizrachi’s Shalhevet Educational
quent intervals. on Yom Kippur, they are allowed Advisory Board and Chairman of Sulamot

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