Yom Kippur
Eating & Drinking by Shiurim
For someone who has been instructed by a Rov not to fast, or to fast only in measured amounts.
!
If there is danger to life
Give food or medicine immediately. Do not measure and do not wait.
This applies even where it is only a question whether the situation is a medical emergency.
Before Yom Kippur
- Consult a Rov in advance. A dispensation from fasting has to be given, not assumed; and once given, it should not be fasted against.
- Measure your mouthful. Fill your mouth and cheeks with liquid, empty it into a measuring cup, and divide that amount in half.
- Mark the cup you will use at that level, so nothing needs to be measured on the day itself.
It is recommended to measure and portion out the amounts beforehand, though they may be measured on Yom Kippur itself if necessary.
Drink
½
of your own mouthful
This amount is personal. It differs from person to person and must be measured before the fast.
Eat
30 cc
about 1 fl oz
Roughly 2 tablespoons, the amount that fits into a small matchbox.
One portion at a time
How long to wait between portions
If nine minutes is not possible
7 min
If 9 is not possible
6 min
If 7 is not possible
4 min
If 6 is not possible
under 4 min
If 4 is not possible; as often as necessary
Eating and drinking are counted separately. Both may be taken within the same interval.
Keep in mind
- A person who is required to eat fulfills a mitzvah by eating, just as a healthy person fulfills a mitzvah by fasting.
- If you can only manage to fast by remaining in bed all day, remain in bed; davening and going to shul are secondary to the obligation to fast.
- If you ate or drank and later feel strong enough to fast, resume fasting.
If you are eating bread
- No Kiddush is recited, even when Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos.
- Wash your hands as you do throughout the year.
- Two whole challos are not needed, unlike other Yomim Tovim.
- Ya'aleh V'yavo is recited in bentching, with the wording for Yom Kippur: בְּיוֹם הַכִּפּוּרִים הַזֶּה, בְּיוֹם סְלִיחַת הֶעָוֹן הַזֶּה, בְּיוֹם מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה
Download the printable sheet
Print it before Yom Kippur and keep it somewhere accessible.
This page is a condensed version, with some detail left out for clarity. Read the full answer.
