Question about fasting on Yom Kippur

[Mosby]

For those of you that go to services, do you fast?

I have never fasted, when I was young I had hypoglycemia which prevented me from fasting (my blood sugar would crash). Later on I just found it to be really distracting, by about 4 pm all I could think about was food.

I don't go crazy or anything but I usually have a small breakfast Yom Kippur morning and don't eat again until the afternoon break. I usually have some water and food during the break.

What made me think about this this year is the heat we are having right now in Phoenix. Yesterdays high was 105, but I think skipping water for 25 hours is just a bad idea, no matter where you live. I think the rabbinate needs to rethink this no fluids rule IMO.

Thoughts?

[madaboutharry]

1. You are suppose to put your health and wellness first.

People who have a medical or health issue are exempt from fasting. Even very Orthodox people would tell you this. No one wants you to faint or get sick.

That's all I have to say.

[Mosby]

4. thanks for your input!

[CincyDem]

2. I fast. And I believe that it's an individual choice. There's no right/wrong good/bad.

That's reform. But I do know that several local orthodox rabbis have talked about health and caring for your health as the primary consideration.

And I agree....at about 4pm I'm thinking about food but for me, personally - it's a focusing experience. i remind myself why I'm hungry.

But - that's just me. And there are many people I know well and/or love who do it differently.

just my humble opinion.

[Mosby]

3. thanks for sharing!

[EllieBC]

5. I fast. But I was taught that it is forbidden to fast if you

would be putting your life at risk. Instead you are supposed to eat and drink in shiurim. https://www.yeshiva.co/ask/?id=7145

[Mosby]

6. thanks for the link

Interesting details.

[MosheFeingold]

7. From an Orthodox perspective

Fasting is mandatory, and it is not a punishment. We are to be like the angels.

Also, don't forget to wear your trainers. No leather shoes (really the soles is what matters).

That said, not fasting (or taking in fluids) is also mandatory if there is a health concern, such as pregnancy, infancy, or something like hypoglycemia. Our shul has a room (two actually, one male and one female) for taking in what you need.

Basically, in such a health situation, eat what you have to eat, but take no joy in it. Water, bread, whatever it is that is so basic your body keeps functioning.

A similar situation occurred in the Russian and Prussian Armies -- Jewish men were drafted into the military. They were given pork to eat. Some refused and became quite ill. They were ordered by the local Rabbinate to eat -- "but take no joy in it." Just do what one must do to live and be healthy.

I am very old and recently had pneumonia. I lost a fair amount of weight, and not good weight, but muscle. I intend to fast, but already have both food and drink (notably protein-type shakes -- a flavor I dislike). So if I have to eat, I will eat.

[Mosby]

8. thanks for the info

Hope your doing better, pnuemonia is really serious at your age. Pres Bush 1 was recently hospitalized for that I think.

I usually eat a clif bar (which I don't really like) which is nutritious and some water.

Do you still weight train? Maybe you can add back a little muscle.

[MosheFeingold]

9. I do stil weight train

And I am pretty much forcing myself to eat quality food 5X day.

I can still do a solid deadlift, but I've off 200lbs from my max. I lost 25 lbs.

Still use an inhaler, six months later. Pneumonia sucks.

If it was the 1970s, I'd go to the gym and buy Dbol and get the weight back in three months. (Yes, you could really just go to the counter and buy steroids. It was hush-hush, but not a federal crime.)

Such things are (rather stupidly, I think -- Part of Bush I's idiot legacy) very illegal now.