Yom Kippur Fast — Nausea During Pregnancy
Question
On Rosh Hashanah I stood in prayer for a long time, and during the Shemoneh Esreh I almost vomited and fainted. In my condition, is it permissible for me to pray while lying down, including the Shemoneh Esreh?
Regarding the fast: At what point would it be permissible for me to drink? Should I drink in measured amounts, and what is preferable — water or grape juice? Am I forbidden to eat entirely? It is difficult for me to eat and drink beforehand and prepare properly before the fast.
Additionally, on Shabbat I saw a small amount of bleeding. Last year, after fasting while pregnant, I ended up in the hospital, perhaps because I did not drink enough after the fast.
Answer
Shalom u’vrachah
Nausea without vomiting is not a reason to permit eating or drinking.
If there is significant weakness, even while lying down and resting, one should begin drinking in measured amounts. [40 cc every 9 minutes].
The mitzvah of the day on Yom Kippur is the fast. And if for that purpose it is necessary to pray sitting or lying down, that is what should be done. And someone who, for the sake of fasting, needs not to pray at all — should not pray, and should fast in accordance with the halachah.
[Someone who is able to fast is Biblically forbidden to drink even in measured amounts].
When one needs to drink in measured amounts, it is preferable to drink grape juice, or soup broth and the like, which also provide energy and nourishment for the body, and not water, which provides only fluids.
One should prepare for the fast by drinking a great deal beforehand, resting and staying in an air-conditioned place on the fast day, and drinking plenty after the fast.
