Fasting on Yom Kippur: Guidelines for the Elderly
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 October 2014 14:08
Many families of a senior or loved one who is ill wonder what to do about fasting on Yom Kippur. Sometimes the concern relates to medications that require food be taken with them or health conditions that can turn dangerous without food.
To help provide answers for our readers in greater Boston, we’ve turned to Aish.com. These excerpts are taken from an article written by Rabbi Elozor Barclay and Rabbi Yitzchok Jaeger.
Q: May a seriously ill person fast?
A: A person whose life will or may be endangered by fasting, even in the long term, is absolutely forbidden to fast. To be strict and refuse to eat, putting one's life in danger, is foolhardy and a serious offense. A doctor (preferably God fearing) and a rabbi must be consulted in order to determine the seriousness of his condition.
Q: What if a person is not ill, but fasting may make him dangerously ill?
A: He should eat small quantities. This is common with elderly people who have serious health problems. A rabbi should be consulted.
Q: What are the limitations for a person who may eat or drink in small quantities?
A: The maximum quantity of food that may be eaten at one session is 30ml (one fluid ounce). This measurement is a volume and not a weight, and is the same for all types of food. A person who knows (or suspects) that he will need to eat, is advised to prepare in advance accurately measured quantities of food. It is recommended to eat substantially filling foods such as fish or meat, which are more satisfying than lighter foods of the same volume.
The liquid quantity is a cheekful. For an average
person this is approximately 35ml (just over one fluid ounce) and for a smaller person this could be 30ml.
The food and drink should be plain, since in this situation the amount of pleasure must be minimized.
Q: How should a person who is able to fast take medicine if required?
A: A person may swallow bitter medicines in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, but not if they are pleasant tasting or tasteless. The medicine must not be taken with water. If one cannot swallow the capsule or tablet without any liquid, he should use a bitter tasting liquid. (If the capsule or tablet will still be effective when mixed with water, this is a practical solution since such liquid is usually bitter tasting.)
To read the article in its entirety, visit Fasting on Yom Kippur.
