Fasting?

[smeisnotapirate]

So I'm thinking about Yom Kippur here. 25 hour complete fast - no food or water. I will be still nursing my (then)16mo DS, as well as being just under 3mo pregnant. I will also be singing 2 services for Erev Yom Kippur (as cantorial soloist - same as a cantor, just no investiture) and singing services from 8:30am - 3pm on Yom Kippur (8:30-10:15, 10:30-12:15, 1:00-3:00).

I know that I'm obligated to fast - and normally, I'd just stay at home and fast at home, but with me having to sing all the high holiday services, nursing, and being pregnant all at the same time, I'm not really sure how well I'll take it. I don't want to be passing out on the bima in the middle of the Ashamnu.

So, I know that this doesn't qualify as a psak, but what would you do? My rabbi is a reform rabbi and won't rule on halacha.

[Magelet]

Personally I would drink water, at the least. I realize that halachicly, it would probably be better to find a way to stay home if needed to complete the fast, but if you have an obligation to go to shul, then I think you need to be prepared to break the fast if needed. I suppose you could try fasting, but I would be very very careful, and at least drink water at the first moment you weren't feeling well. From some online research, there also seems to be precedent about eating and/or drinking in measures or b'shiurim, which is very small amounts every 9 minutes or greater.

I think personally though, I would not fast from water (or electrolyte fluid), but would fast from food for as long as I felt well enough to.

Good luck finding a solution that works for you and your children physically and spiritually, smei.

[AngelBee]

Not Jewish, so I am not familiar with how things work in your faith. It is hard when nursing and pregnant.....especially when BOTH to not be able to fulfill religious celebrations/obligations.

[imnottelling]

No way to get out of being a cantor? I'm Orthodox, and the basic rule I've been told is it's better to stay in bed all day at home than even pray since fasting is the main issue of the day. I've fasted when nursing and pregnant and by taking it easy and preparing myself I've done fine.
Drink lots and lots and lots of water for 3 whole days before the fast (like 10 cups a day at least).
Before the fast, eat slowly and well balanced foods like protein, complex carbs, etc.

[LookMommy!]

There is an herbal med. sold in Israel called "Tzom Kal" or something like that that supposedly makes fasting easier.

That being said, I never fast. I have low blood sugar and low blood pressure, and I faint/get headaches, etc. I know that is not really an excuse, and no rabbi would give me a heter on that, but I just can't bring myself to do it. [where is that bag on head smiley??]

My son is newly bar mitzvah and will definitely want to fast (my daughter is 15 and is less observant. She is also very underweight and I feel it is dangerous for her to fast). I know it will mess up his health for days, and I am not looking forward to the aftereffects.

I am sort of a committed Conservative/Masorti Jew (we are basically shomer kashrut, Shabbat, etc., kids in religious schools, etc.) but I am more about sociology than spirituality.

I really can't get into Yom Kippur. I find it very hard with the kids, and I am just not into praying and fasting all day. May this be the year that I am able to find meaning in the day....

Shana Tova, and B'hatzlacha!

[smeisnotapirate]

Oh how I wish I could get out of being a cantor. At least for Yom Kippur. I love it every other time of the year. Two Yom Kippurs ago, I found out I was pregnant with DS when I passed out after breaking my fast immediately after Yizkor. I have never felt worse in my life.

There's no way for me to get out of my duties on Yom Kippur. If I don't do the service.......... well, I'm not sure what would happen.

Maybe I'll do what Caroline said - try to work with water or an electrolyte drink in small measures (no more than a cheekful, right?).

[Magelet]

I read its half a mouthful or about 40ml, depending on the person... Still, while its not proper hydration, it would help for sure with dehydration. If you passed out last time you were fasting and pregnant, I'd be sure to have some food on hand just in case. If your feeling close to passing out, I'd guess that most rabbi's would consider eating and breaking the fast necessary for health and life, given how generous the definition often is.

good luck. s

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by Magelet

I read its half a mouthful or about 40ml, depending on the person... Still, while its not proper hydration, it would help for sure with dehydration. If you passed out last time you were fasting and pregnant, I'd be sure to have some food on hand just in case. If your feeling close to passing out, I'd guess that most rabbi's would consider eating and breaking the fast necessary for health and life, given how generous the definition often is.

good luck. s

Of course - my only problem is that with 2-3 hour services, I want to make sure that I don't start a service and feel sick 15 minutes in. Because I can't get off the bima at that point (another tough thing about long services and pregnancy - no bathroom breaks!).

Thanks for the suggestions and ideas.

[npl]

I don't fast easily. Before Tisha B'Av this year, I tried drinking powerade for a couple of days in addition to regular drinks, and I found it helped. I'll be increasing how much I drink before Yom Kippur, because previously, even with lying down all day, I've been light-headed by the end of the fast. This time, I was actually able to get up at the end to get myself something to eat and drink!
If you have blood-sugar issues during pregnancy then you may find the zero calories is better. I'd suggest trying it out well in advance to see which helps you more.
Feel good!

[imnottelling]

You can get the Zom Kal on koshervitamins.com but I'm not so sure I'd take the pregnancy one -- it has GINSENG in it!! They have a nursing one too, but again, with pregnancy, I'm a bit nervous to suggest it.

[Janelovesmax]

Can somebody tell me what day does Yom Kippur fall on?

[flminivanmama]

sunday night the 27th

[Janelovesmax]

Originally Posted by flminivanmama

sunday night the 27th

Thank you!

[Mommal]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

I know that I'm obligated to fast

...But only if fasting won't impact your health, because pikuach nefesh trumps the obligation, right? I think you should go into the fast with an open mind, and if you start feeling unwell, drink. If you drink something and still feel unwell, have a snack. Wishing you an easy fast and a good inscription!