Fasting, Health and Tisha B'Av
by Jason Lieberman
Tisha B’Av is the commemoration of the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem. Because the day falls during the summer, I did not realize the importance of this holiday until I was older. It is, indeed, a very important date in the Jewish calendar (something I learned when I started attending Jewish sleep away camp). Summer camp is where many children learn about Tisha B’Av, and even if a camper is not fasting because they are too young (in Orthodox communities, fasting begins at age 12 for girls and 13 for boys, while in other communities it’s 13 for everyone) many counselors are fasting. Tisha B’aAv, although not as commemorated as widely as Yom Kippur, is the second most important fast day on the Jewish calendar. Most people who fast do so for 25 hours just like on Yom Kippur.
As on Yom Kippur, it is an avara or sin for someone to fast on this very important day if they have health reasons that indicate that they should not fast. There are many people who for health reasons cannot, should not, and will not be fasting. There is a long list of both chronic, and (hopefully) singular situations that make it necessary to eat. As someone who has spent Tisha B’Av in the hospital, I have had to abstain from fasting at times.
If you have a concern related to fasting and your health, ask a doctor and a rabbi of your choosing, preferably in advance of Tisha B’Av. I suggest giving them permission to discuss the situation with each other. I am not an expert–just a concerned Jew here to share my perspective.
May we see in our time, a world at peace, a rebuilt Temple, and no need to fast on Tisha B’Av at all.
Diagnosed with CP, Jason Lieberman is a lifetime disability advocate. He’s part of the Jewish Disability Inclusion News Advisory Board. Jason is a sought-after speaker in the US & abroad, mostly on Judaism & disability. He and his wife and son live in NYC.
