Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on October 10, 2010 at 4:30pm

I had to click on the link. Yom Kippur was over a while ago.

Good article, but kinda late posting it here...

Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on October 12, 2010 at 3:34pm

I have a friend who decided to try and be a good little Jew this year (I.e.; not so much of a disappointment to her family) and did the fasting thing. Complained the hardest part was the caffeine headaches. I wonder if she knew about the caffeine suppository?

Seems like cheating to me.

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on October 13, 2010 at 6:42pm

At passover, some people came up with some unleavened "passover cake". I can't eat regular crackers or tortillas, but I can eat cake?! I don't care about the technicalities; that's cheating.

I guess you couldn't take caffeine pills, then, and I suppose you couldn't take any other pills either. Some people need pills to live. That could be hazardous.

Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on October 14, 2010 at 1:34am

I guess you couldn't take caffeine pills, then, and I suppose you couldn't take any other pills either. Some people need pills to live. That could be hazardous.

Technically true as I understand the fasting to include no drinking, even water.

I know that Islam, as a general rule, makes exceptions for stuff like this and even says to only fast so long as your health permits. E.g.; young children, the elderly, diabetics, etc, get a pass. ("General" rule. There will always be those who take it to an extreme).

I would think that Judaism would do the same? Hope they would?

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on October 14, 2010 at 10:06am

They do.

Permalink Reply by Diana Agorio on October 14, 2010 at 1:58am

I fasted for Yom Kippur when I was living with a family in Beer Sheva, Israel. I was really disappointed in the whole holiday. Everyone slept most of the day.

Permalink Reply by Hugh Kramer on October 14, 2010 at 11:59am

Sorry, I prefer taking my caffeine in at the other end.

Permalink Reply by Nathan Hevenstone on October 14, 2010 at 1:24pm

There is something deceiving about this I need to point out.

Perhaps this is only true in more Liberal Jewish sects (Conservative, Reform, etc), but pills and such are not forbidden on Yom Kippur. Your health is more important than fasting is, so if for any health reason, you have to eat, drink, take pills, etc, then it is more important that you do so. My Dad (Jewish clergy, for those who remember) is both pre-diabetic and hyperglycemic, so he takes pills and, if he absolutely has to, eats on Yom Kippur.