Rabbi’s Message – September 29, 2022
In American Judaism, one of the hallmark observances for Yom Kippur has become the act of fasting. I’ve heard countless times, “Rabbi, I couldn’t make it to services, but I did fast.” “Rabbi, I take daily medication, but it won’t kill me to skip one dose (or take it without food…).” It felt like a badge of honor as a rabbinical student to lead Yom Kippur in a student pulpit and fast. We put a lot of emphasis on the ability to go 25 hours without nutrition and water. And, as a consummate overachiever, in 2015 when my OB-GYN advised against a full-fast while pregnant, it felt like a failure. I ‘snuck’ some Gatorade and protein bars between services in the afternoon – it felt like a double sin – not only eating on Yom Kippur, but doing so in the synagogue, as the Rabbi. Since 2015, I’ve been medically advised against fasting at all, or at least fully fasting more years than I’ve been able to fast, and I’ve found the holiday can be just as meaningful, even when gestational diabetes meant I had to eat at least every few hours throughout the day.
The Bible does tell us to ‘afflict our souls,’ which is defined rabbinically as refraining from five things: eating, drinking, anointing oneself, wearing [leather] shoes, and physical intimacy with a partner. Thus, while consumption of food and drink are on that list, they are not the only ways the mitzvah is defined.
Further, we are taught in rabbinic literature that there are exceptions to fasting – if one is medically advised against fasting, we trust the physician and feed the ill person, if there are no medical experts available, we trust the ill person if they claim they need to eat. If you have a medical professional telling you that you should not be going 25 hours without eating and/or drinking, or that you should take daily medication, or take it not on an empty stomach, or otherwise not fully fast – it is a mitzvah to follow that advise. It is a sin to be stubborn for the sake of fasting and even risk potentially endangering your health. (Side note: the size of your pill and a mouthful of water to swallow it potentially don’t count as breaking your fast anyways.) So, if it is a mitzvah to eat for some of us, what do we do? First, try to avoid self-judgement. You have not failed Judaism by needing to eat. There are numerous resources online – A Mitzvah to Eat has several, and more are shared by the recent Chronic Congregation. for Jews with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Our prayer book offers meditations both for those who can and will, and those who cannot or will not be fasting.
And if you need to eat, while I wouldn’t recommend DoorDashing a 3-course meal to the Sanctuary during services, you also don’t need to be compelled to hide out in your car either – even your Rabbi has eaten in this building on Yom Kippur! And for those who are able – curious about what to eat in the next week (spoiler: if you want an easier-on-your-body fast, it starts earlier than you’d think!), check this article out on the science of fasting.
Whether you fast or not – may you have a meaningful and introspective Yom Kippur!