A few this and thats

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Hi again, I'm back....of course I never really left :doh: Anyways, I just wanted to say that in my quest for faith, I always seem to be reminded of the torah, and that I always end up back here, and I always seem to be questing for my Jewish heritage. Anyways take that at face value, and that I have such a strong feeling for the torah. Anywhos, I mostly started this thread cause I got a question:

Its about fasting, I asked my dad (and of course he isn't to much of a help) but I know that you are alowed to drink, I think, but I wanted to know what exactly is ok to drink and what is not ok to drink? Like is water ok? or coffee? or a mochachino? Or are we to dehydrate? Thanks again!

Shalom!
-Nossa

[Buccaneer]

All I can say that i know to be forbidden to drink is blood seed waste and alcohol to the point of dubachery. (drunkeness)

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Seed? Your not talking about sunflower seeds right?

[Buccaneer]

nope. I believe its in the sripture if not i read it in commentary but i believe there is some sort of reference. anyways, i believe just about every person would agree. I hessitated and dont mean to draw attention to that subject but i figured it should be said.

[Henaynei]

Hi again, I'm back....of course I never really left :doh: Anyways, I just wanted to say that in my quest for faith, I always seem to be reminded of the torah, and that I always end up back here, and I always seem to be questing for my Jewish heritage. Anyways take that at face value, and that I have such a strong feeling for the torah. Anywhos, I mostly started this thread cause I got a question:

Its about fasting, I asked my dad (and of course he isn't to much of a help) but I know that you are alowed to drink, I think, but I wanted to know what exactly is ok to drink and what is not ok to drink? Like is water ok? or coffee? or a mochachino? Or are we to dehydrate? Thanks again!

Shalom!
-NossaIf you are talking about the fast for Yom Kippur - the tradition and instruction of the rabbis is that we do not drink, even water, for this period.

As a nurse I can tell you that for most people going without water for 25 hours, while inconvienent certainly, is really no more than a minor discomfort for the average moderately healthy person, UNLESS you are doing heavy work or are working/travelling in the heat. As most people who are keeping the command to afflict themselves are NOT working or travelling during this time it truly is not a problem. IF, however, one is on medication for which they have been instructed to drink water or if one has a medical condition that requires keeping their fluid level at a certain level at all times, then to discretely drink water, nothing else certainly, out of sight of those who ARE fasting from water, is certainly permissible by the rabbis. "'You shll live by the Torah,' not die by the Torah."

[Sephania]

As a nurse Henaynei, what do you know is reccomended for someone that is diabetic or hypoglycimic (sp?).

[Katydid]

Same question as Zayit. I am supposed to eat 6 times a day, I can pass on 3 but I get very weak and shaky. Dizzy spells and eventually faint if I don't get enough sugar. Last time I tried to fast, my blood sugar went down to 49 which apparently is very bad. After that I had to see a nutritionist, etc. etc. So what does someone in my position do. I really want to fast this year, but I am scared to.

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Ah ok, so no water. Is it allright if I have a little water so that I can take my pills? Also when I don't eat for a while my stomach starts to hurt/get very upset, is it allright is it allright that I maybe eat like a cracker or a small piece of matzah? You know, to stop the pain and what not?

[Talmidah]

I am hypoglycemic. Since I pack lunches/snacks for the kids anyway, I put in a little bit of cheese and some crackers for myself, with a bottle of water. I take a little bottle of orange juice, in case I get really dizzy or faint. I leave it all in the kitchen and quietly leave the service and go have a little of the cheese and crackers in the kitchen, drink a little bit of water and return to the service.

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Ah ok, thanks Talmidah, I wasn't sure how strict the rules applied to us. This will be my very first time celebrating Yom Kippur! And I just want to make sure that I am doing everything right, sorta. Even though I will be spending time with my friends that day. Also when does fasting actually start and finish? Isn't it sun-up to sun-down? Or is it a straight 24 hours? Cause I would not be able ot handle 24 hours :( as much as I want to :cry:

[Talmidah]

Sundown to sundown

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Sundown to sundown

:eek: Thats gonna be tuff....can I get away with while the sun is out?

[Talmidah]

Thats gonna be tuff....can I get away with while the sun is out?
Nossa, if you have any medical conditions that require you to eat, then you must eat, whether the sun is down or not. That was hard for me to accept with the hypoglycemia because I didn't want to feel 'less spiritual' or whatever by not observing the full fast. Now, I know that if I don't eat when I need to, I am breaking the law, disrespecting the rabbis and missing out on a mitzvah. Besides, I am very likely to faint if I don't eat and my blood sugar drops too low...and how spiritual would that be? ;) So, don't feel like you need to 'get away' with something if you have to eat, ok? :)

[Nossa-the-Lame]

Ok, like I said I am gun-hoe about this, and I just want to know where I can draw the line of whats ok and whats not ok.

[Sephania]

Nossa, I would advise that if you are going to be with your friends and are not in a service or at home for quiet contemplation or prayer that you are careful not to overexcert yourself. Sitting quietly is fine but walking around too much or certainly no sports type activity would be good on little or no fuel. A little pain in ones belly is to be tolerated, but a drop in blood sugar level is dangerous and me also will faint or fall asleep. This happened to me on Tisha B'Av this year, other years I have been fine but now I have to eat 4-6x's per day as well, little meals.

I would just say to not make it your favorite foods, just something to keep your energy up, nothing to take any delight in should be fine.

Mozel Tov on your descision and have a good fast! :)

PS: Thanks Talmidah for those tips, really helps!

[By Grace]

What about for a nursing mom? And do children participate at all?

[Sephania]

All other fasts, no, but for Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur, yes for the NM's as well as pregnant. Yom Kippur it is Torah mandated, Tisha B'Av, Rabbi mandated, so.

As long as she is healthy otherwise but it usually is presented to the Rabbi for clarification.

Children over 9 ( if trained in fasting and are healthy) should try and fast. 13 and above most definately, if healthy of course. Those who can't shouldn't have things like sweets, ice cream cookies, candies, things designated as treats, not essential foods.

[By Grace]

All other fasts, no, but for Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur, yes for the NM's as well as pregnant. Yom Kippur it is Torah mandated, Tisha B'Av, Rabbi mandated, so.

As long as she is healthy otherwise but it usually is presented to the Rabbi for clarification.

What about water for a NM? Isn't that necessary to keep milk supply up?

[Nossa-the-Lame]

What I meant by being with my friends, I was going to be at my house, with my friends, just sitting around, playing games. Nothing physically strenuous
just me and the guys, playing some games (RPG, Role Playing games,). Its what we usually do on saturday, not sure if it breaks the sabbath, since its not work to me, but it might be considered work none-the-less.