Fast Days

Dear Rabbi Simon I had to have an emergency dental intervention yesterday as I fractured a tooth badly. I was told to take painkillers (which help a lot) and that the third day will be the worse ie Yom Kippur. Iy”H I will be OK. But what if I’m not? At which point would I be allowed painkillers if I…

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please advise on suitable footwear options for Yom Kippur? I have been suffering from knee pain (too much running?) and so I would like a halakhic solution which offers support for my heel. What about an ankle brace? I know I will be on my feet much of the day on Yom Kippur. Many thanks,…

Note: This Q&A exchange took place on the 8th of Av 2024. Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question about the Fast of 9th Av. I collapsed today and couldn’t eat or drink anything until some tonic water just now. Even fluids come up. I’m massively dehydrated and there’s no way I’ll be able to eat the pre-fast seudah, not even boiled…

Dear Rabbi Simon Yom Kippur is nearing, and I have some questions about lighting a long-lasting candle for this day (is this a Minhag? Halacha? Humrah?). Is there a requirement for Ner Yom Kippur? Is it fulfilled by the Shabbos candles? If the light of the candle persists until nightfall the next day, can it be used for Havdalah as…

Dear Rabbi Simon, As I told you, I am quite a heavy tobacco user. During Yom Kippur I do not smoke, which I realize is forbidden. Can I use the Tobacco patches I told you about, if I put them on before the fast begins? Nick Dear Nick, Yes you may use the patch as described, applying it before YK,…

Dear Rabbi Simon, Shana tova. I hope you had inspiring tefillah at Kesher on RH. You may have seen the clips that are going round about the use of chickens for kaparot in New York.  The way in which these chickens are treated is disturbing to me.  Even if the conditions of keeping the chickens would improve, I still think…

A number of people have asked about the permissibility of using hand sanitiser (as recommended by UK public health authorities) on Tisha B’Av this year. Although hand gel of this sort may arguably be an example of either washing or anointing (or both), each of which is normally forbidden on the Fast of Av, nevertheless the use of hand sanitiser…

(Note the addendum for when 9 Av is on Shabbat and the Fast is delayed until Sunday) Dear Rabbi Simon, Is Fiona obligated to fast on Tisha’ B’Av as she will be at about 32 1/2 wks pregnant at that time?  Her obstetrician indicated that she should not fast & especially should consume fluids.  She is puzzled as she has…