Live: When Fasting Becomes Forbidden

Today, Wednesday, Hei Tishrei, Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein of ShulchanAruchHarav.com will deliver a live Zoom shiur at 2:00 p.m. EST on the halachos of fasting on Yom Kippur.

The session, “When Fasting Is Prohibited: Practical Yom Kippur Guidelines for the Sick, Pregnant, Nursing, and Those with Medical Conditions,” will offer clear halachic and medical direction for those navigating the fast under health constraints.

Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, raises pressing questions about the Chiyuv to fast, especially for those who are ill, pregnant, or nursing. This shiur aims to bring clarity to a complex and far-reaching topic.

Merkos Torah, a division of Merkos 302 dedicated to giving shluchim and all Anash the resources to strengthen their personal Torah learning, has partnered with noted halachic authority and author Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein, founder of ShulchanAruchHarav.com, to make the shiur available to the public.

Among the practical questions to be addressed:

Does staying in bed to preserve one’s fast take precedence over going to shul, for oneself or one’s spouse?

What halachic and medical factors apply to a pregnant woman who feels weak or dizzy during the fast?

How should someone with high blood pressure or heart disease approach fasting?

What does Halacha say for those with kidney stones or other conditions requiring careful hydration?

How should someone struggling with an eating disorder navigate the mitzvah of fasting?

How does Jewish law address a nursing mother concerned about milk supply or dehydration?

For a diabetic, is eating in measured amounts the right approach, or should fasting be avoided entirely?

What should families know about children or teens with chronic conditions who wish to fast?

This program is part of Merkos 302’s Kollel Aliba D’Hilchasa. The public can register for the Kollel’s upcoming sugya on Hilchos Shabbos at www.kollelad.com.

Zoom Details:
Date: Today, 5 Tishrei 5787 (September 16)
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
To join, register at this link: : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYFIbTXD3NkTjeoyqe1egop3rCYY_pE2WNA5D7qEM4FerVcg/viewform?usp=header