Question of the Week:
My husband has a medical condition that does not allow him to fast. His rabbi has told him that he needs to eat on Yom Kippur, but he feels terrible about it. Knowing how important this day is and how fasting is the main way we gain forgiveness, what can I say to my husband to make him feel less guilty about eating on Yom Kippur?
Answer:
Jewish law is clear that if by fasting someone's health will be at risk, they must consult a competent rabbi for advice. This advice may be to stay in bed and try to fast, or to drink minimal amounts, or to ignore the fast completely and eat as needed. This will depend on the circumstances, and each case is different and needs to be analysed from both a medical and a halachic standpoint.
But where the rabbi's verdict is that someone should eat on Yom Kippur, then eat they must. And they must do it with joy. The same G-d who commanded us to fast on Yom Kippur, commanded us to eat on Yom Kippur when necessary. Your husband is fulfilling a mitzvah by eating just as he would be by fasting. Just as refraining from eating is doing G-d's will, eating is equally doing His will.
Almighty G-d, who is like Your people Israel? You command them to afflict their souls and not eat or drink for an entire day. They listen. Not only that, but when someone has a valid reason not to fast, he feels not relief but regret!
May G-d look upon us all, eating or fasting, with a smile, and bless us with a year of health so we can do His will joyfully.

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