Ma'ayanot Alumni Gabrielle Hiller asked: What is the halachah regarding taking medicine on a fast day?
The poskim distinguish between two groups of fast days:
Group 1: Yom Kippur and Tisha B'av
Group 2: the rest of the fast days (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz, Ta'anit Esther, etc.)
Group 2 fast days: Most poskim agree that it is permissible to take medication on fast days from this group. If the medicine is a pill or bitter-tasting liquid, it should be taken without water if possible. If you need water, only a small amount should be taken. Some poskim say to add salt or other substances to the water to make it somewhat bitter.
Group 1 fast days: If the medication is for a life threatening condition, virtually all poskim agree that you are allowed to take the medication. You should consult your Rabbi to find out the specifications for how to take the medication. If the medication is something that you need to take every day but is not for a life threatening condition (i.e. antibiotics) or if you have a headache and want to take Motrin/Tylenol, you should consult your Rabbi as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment