Tisha B’Av: to fast or not to fast?
**Friendly reminder that we are all on a personal journey and what works for one person might not work for another. Let’s give each other grace and encouragement and meet each other where we are at. As always, check with your local rabbi for questions on halacha. Two Jews, three opinions… so let’s share our opinions in a kind way and learn from one another.
The world has been in chaos since 2020 (before that tbh) and I definitely let myself spiral out of control. My binge eating disorder won out and I quickly gained over 50 pounds. Antisemitism is at an all time high and so are my carb cravings. Why have one black and white cookie when you can eat a dozen, am I right? I woke up one day and decided I can’t keep living this way. The first step was a visit to my doctor for full work up where a vitamin deficiency was discovered. Between therapy and my primary doctor, we worked together to get me back on track. Dieting was out of the question until I got to a safe place with my eating disorder as I have a history of disordered eating habits across the spectrum from withholding food to binge eating. I worked on that in therapy while working on the vitamin deficiency with my doctor.
Last year I was told by my doctor not to fast on Yom Kippur. I was devastated because I’ve always fasted on Yom Kippur. Not fast? I am not now, nor have I ever been, a strict follower of halacha but chagim have always been important to me. A friend connected me to
where I was able to learn how to have a meaningful Yom Kippur while abiding by medical advice.
Whether you have an eating disorder, a vitamin deficiency, or some other medical condition where fasting is not advised I recommend looking into A Mitzvah To Eat. Open up conversations with your rabbi or spiritual advisor about pikuach nefesh and how fasting impacts your whole-body well being.
I will not be fasting on Tisha B’Av this year as I am once again medically advised against it. I will daven, I will study, I will mourn, but I will also follow the medical professionals and fuel my body.
I’ll ask my medical team again for Yom Kippur. Remember, your life matters.