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Parshas Vayigash 5786

Halachos Pertaining to the Fast of Asara B’Teves


Eating Before the Fast and Taking Medication. The fast begins at Alos Hashachar (1) when the first rays of the sun become visible (72 minutes before sunrise (2); others say it is when the sun is 16.1 degrees below the horizon). Sleeping through the night is an automatic acceptance of the fast. If one stipulates even mentally that he intends to eat before Alos, it is permissible (4). Similarly, if one is accustomed to drinking upon arising before daybreak, he may drink before a fast even without a stipulation (5). A person who is ill in bed is exempt from fasting (6). If one is not ill but taking medication, he is permitted to swallow his medication if there is no pleasant taste (7). If it can’t be swallowed without water, he may sip a minimal amount of water to swallow the medication (9).

Bathing and Personal Hygiene. Although bathing is permitted on a typical fast day, it is customary not to wash one’s entire body with warm water (10). Preferably, one should not rinse out his mouth with water or mouthwash, nor brush his teeth (11). If he is distressed without it, he may do so being cautious that no water goes down his throat (12). Aside from being cautious, throughout the day, one should focus: 1) On the calamity and its causes and work on teshuva and self-improvement (13). 2) On giving Tzedaka (14). 3) Not becoming irritable or upset due to fasting (15).

Berachos During a Fast. The Kaf Hachayim (תקסח:טז) writes that if one made a beracha on food, but before eating recalled that it was a fast day, he should say "ברוך שם כבוד ..." and not even taste the food. A sick person who eats on a fast day does not say "עננו" by Mincha (16). Even if he later feels well enough to go to shul, he should not daven for the amud (17), get an aliya (18), or lain (19). If one forgot to say "עננו" by Mincha, he need not repeat Shemona Esrai. If he remembers before stepping back, he can still say it in "אלקי נצור" without the חתימה (20).


(1) או"ח תקסד:א (2) בה"ל פט:א (4) או"ח תקסד:א (5) באר היטב תנט:ה (6) מ"ב תקצ:ה (7) באר היטב תקסז:י (9) תשובות והנהגות ג:קנו (01) שער הציון תקנ:ח (11) או"ח תקסז:ג (21) מ"ב שם (31) שם:תקמט:א (41) שם תקסו:יב (51) שם: תקסח:נ (61) בה"ל תקסה:א (71) או"ח תקסו:ה (81) שם:ו (91) באר עסק כא (02) או"ח תקסה:ב


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