Fall 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the impending arrival of Tzom Gedalya and Yom Kippur, now is a good time for a halachic review of the six ta\u2019aneisim<\/em> that are incorporated into the Jewish calendar.[1]<\/a> In addition to the aforementioned, we fast on Asara B\u2019Teves, Ta\u2019anis Esther, Shiva Asar B\u2019Tamuz and Tisha B\u2019Av. The halachos<\/em> apply to males from the age of thirteen and females from the age of twelve.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides Tisha B\u2019Av, which has various hilchos aveilus,<\/em>[34]<\/a> Shiva Asar B\u2019Tamuz and Asara B\u2019Teves also commemorate different stages of the Churban Beis Hamikdash<\/em>. Therefore, on these two fast days, some are zahir <\/em>to observe certain halachos <\/em>of the Nine Days. This includes not listening to music, not taking a haircut or shaving and not bathing for pleasure.[35]<\/a> However, one may bathe l\u2019kavod Shabbos<\/em> when Asara B\u2019Teves occurs on Friday.[36]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If one fasts a private fast, he must \u201caccept\u201d the fast at Minchathe day before the fast.[37]<\/a> The nusach<\/em> is found in many siddurim<\/em> at the end of Elokai Netzor<\/em> of Mincha.[38]<\/strong><\/em><\/a> If he forgets, he can accept the fast after Mincha any time before sunset. For the Fast of BeHa\u201dB<\/em>, one can have in mind to accept the fast when responding Amen<\/em> to the Mi Shebeirach<\/em> recited on the Shabbos preceding BeHa\u201dB<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the zchus<\/em> of our fasting, may our teshuva<\/em> and tefilos<\/em> be accepted and may the fasts be transformed to days of happiness and Yom Tov. [39]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n [1]<\/a> This article is based on the psak<\/em> of Rabbi Moshe Heinemann shlit\u201da<\/em> and focuses on various relevant halachos<\/em> and addresses shailos<\/em> that are frequently asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [2]<\/a> On Yom Kippur, healthy children in the years leading up to their Bar\/Bas Mitzva and capable of fasting should fast part of the day. Some say this also applies to other ta\u2019aneisim (Tosfos Yom Hakipurim Yoma<\/em> 82a Masnisin b\u2019shyam Rama MePanu<\/em> 111). However, the MB<\/em> 550:5 says they do not fast at all but rather eat simple items. Also, the custom is to fast three complete fasts before one becomes Bar Mitzva, if there is no difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [3]<\/a> One must start before sunset for Tosefes Yom Hakipurim.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [4]<\/a> When it starts on Motzei Shabbos, the fast begins at sunset, however halachos<\/em> of mourning (e.g., sitting low) begin at tzeis hakochavim<\/em>. One may take a pill before the ta\u2019anis<\/em> that will help him fast. He may take it on Shabbos afternoon when Tisha B\u2019Av is on Sunday, but should make the tablet sweet (e.g., put on honey on it) so he enjoys it on Shabbos and there is no hachana<\/em> issue (see Kovetz Halachos – Bein Hametzarim<\/em> 16:f19). <\/p>\n\n\n\n [5]<\/a> There are various opinions on how to calculate the beginning and ending times of a fast which are beyond the scope of this discussion. Refer to your shul or local luach <\/em>for exact times. Before the fast, under the conditions noted in the article, one may eat as usual even within a half hour of dawn (see Sefer Iyunim B\u2019taanis<\/em> Vol. 1 page 403 in the name of HaRav Elyashiv zt\u201dl<\/em>). For a discussion of other opinions, see Piskei Teshuvos O.C<\/em>. 564:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [6]<\/a> Following a sheenas kvah.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [7]<\/a> See Rama<\/em> O.C.<\/em> 564:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [8]<\/a> See footnote 5. When traveling by air, zmanim<\/em> are determined by the position of the aircraft over the earth\u2019s surface at any particular moment (e.g., when flying at 35,000 feet over Chicago, the zmanim<\/em> of that city prevail.) Thus, a westbound flight will add hours to a fast. Air travelers on fast days should take this halacha into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [9]<\/a> For example, in 5784\/2023 and 5785\/2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [10]<\/a> Kiddush is recited before eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [11]<\/a> If someone already observed this yahrzeit <\/em>fast on Friday until Tzeis Hakochavim,<\/em> he should continue to do so. If in the first year it is not on Friday, he should stipulate that in future years it is Friday, he is only fasting until after Maariv \u2013 even if early. See Shulchan Aruch<\/em> and Rama O.C.<\/em> 249:4, and MB<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [12]<\/a> If there is any safek<\/em> whether one\u2019s life is in danger and a halachic authority is not available, one must eat or drink as deemed necessary.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n [13]<\/a> The punishment for eating or drinking the defined amounton Yom Kippur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [14]<\/a> Shulchan Aruch O.C<\/em>. 618:7-8 and Mishna Berurah<\/em>. Pachos mi\u2019keshiur<\/em> is still prohibited for a healthy person (chatzi shiur asur min haTorah<\/em>), however, there is no onesh kareis<\/em> or malkos<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [15]<\/a> See footnote 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [16]<\/a> A koseves hagasa<\/em> is larger than 1 fl. oz., but it is more practical to use 1 oz. plastic schnapps cups as they are readily available. [Although some “1 oz.” plastic schnapps cups are larger than 1 oz., they are still smaller than a koseves hagasa<\/em>. In regards to using these cups for drinking, see below.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [17]<\/a>On Yom Kippur, we are machmir<\/em> with the longest shiur<\/em> of kedei achilas<\/em> pras<\/em> \u2013 nine minutes. If this is not enough for a choleh mesukan,<\/em> it is four minutes. (Note that for bracha achronah<\/em> during the year, this shiur<\/em> is within the span of four minutes.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n [18]<\/a> Rav Avraham Chaim Naeh in Sefer Shiurei Torah, Siman<\/em> 3 footnote 33.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [19]<\/a> Under normal circumstances this amount is certainly less than a meloh lugmav<\/em> of an adult. Prepare the correct sized shnaps cups and time-measuring device before Yom Kippur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [20]<\/a> One who requires water to swallow medicine that is critical should use 1 oz. of an unpleasant tasting liquid (e.g., Pepto Bismol) every seven minutes. If this is not feasible and there is a possible sakana<\/em>, use 1 oz. of water every seven minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [21]<\/a> Items such as yogurt or ices have a questionable food or drink status. Sugar dissolved in water is considered a beverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [22]<\/a> The are many cases when the doctor says all the patient needs is hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTiming Is Everything: When the Fasts Begin and End<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Managing an Illness on Yom Kippur<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Conduct and Considerations on Other Fast Days<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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The Tefilos<\/em> on Fast Days[31]<\/strong><\/a><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Additional Stringencies on Churban Bayis <\/em>Fast Days<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Accepting a Private Fast<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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