Please, don't get me wrong. It's not that they've become sinners, and they're past the age for pregnancy and nursing babies.
According to Jewish Law, one's health is of primary importance. Unlike the Catholics, if pregnancy is life-threatening, the mother's life is more important.
And as important as fasting is, even on Yom Kippur, there are many medical conditions which make it forbidden. Sometimes it's temporary, as for certain medications which must be taken and must be taken with food, or it can endanger the sick person.
And then there are permanent medical conditions, like diabetes, which can get totally and fatally out of control if one doesn't eat the five meals a day.
Our local doctor and rabbi get very busy before fast days giving instructions. Some people must eat regularly, and others may only have small amounts of liquids.
One must never endanger his health in order to fast. Ask a qualified rabbi who is in touch with doctors, or ask religious doctors who are experienced with Halacha, Jewish Law.
Judaism is a religion for living, not for dying. You're not "extra religious" if you fast against doctor's orders. You're endangering your health, which is a sin!
6 comments:
Excellent post. My father (he's 78) can no longer fast a complete fast, but he has a whole system of how he eats and drinks on fast days.
No point in hurting oneself to fast.
Thanks for the warning.
I was thinking of writing some advice on how to fast and avoid being sick before YK. I shall have to remember to link to this post.
You raise a good point.
leora, thanks
From what I understand there are all sorts of eating instructions depending on the medical condition.
One must never make decisions on one's own, except if one really feels ill, call for help or drink some water.
ilana, frum, thanks
ps I should have posted it before the fast, sorry.
Thanks for sharing.
For anyone who might be interested in my perspective about the emotional aspect of eating on a fast day, click here
Even when a Rav says it's OK, or even a "hiyuv" to eat, it can be very emotionally challenging.
Thanks for adding your input.
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