Ask!

For the week ending 4 October 2003 / 8 Tishri 5764

Yom Kippur

by Rabbi Yirmiyahu Ullman - www.rabbiullman.com
Become a Supporter Library Library

Life In The Fast Vein

From: I. E.

Dear Rabbi,

If someone is sick and knows that he is going to have to eat on Yom Kippur, why not do so through intravenous? It's my understanding that since intravenous is not the normal way of eating, it's not technically a violation of the requirement to fast. If you tell me that intravenous is too big a bother or expense, isn't it true that a person must go to all lengths and expense not to transgress a negative commandment? So why don't sick people check into a hospital before Yom Kippur and 'eat' intravenously?

Dear I. E.,

The obligation to fast applies only on Yom Kippur itself. Therefore, there's no obligation to hook up to intravenous before Yom Kippur in order to fast on Yom Kippur. Once Yom Kippur arrives, it may be forbidden to hook up to intravenous. First, inserting a needle when not needed for health is prohibited because of causing a wound and spilling blood. Second, the intravenous may cause some unforeseeable health risk which the person is not required to take.

While on intravenous, Ill tell you a story. Once, a man on intravenous had an overwhelming desire for a glass of tea, and he convinced the doctor to administer it to him intravenously. When the tea began to flow, the man winced. "What's the matter," asked the doctor, "Too hot?" "No, too sweet."

Sources

  • Iggrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:90

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to Ask!

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.