i am 12 and will be 13 at the end of novemeber, is it absoluley nessessary for me to fast on yom kippur?

Question

i try to fast but, i am so young, and my body figure is petite, but i have a fast metabalism, so it is really hard for me to fast. the rabbi says do what you feel is right, and i dont want to fast the whole 24 hours, but my mom is making me. what can i say to her to help? i also have a cold and allergies, so is it unhealthy for me to eat all day?

Answer 1

Try to prepare yourself by eating the right food before the fast. Go to http://www.chabad.org/431178 for some great tips.

Answer 2

I am 15 and have never fasted. I have found that if I don't eat for more than 5 or 6 hours I feel queasy, get a headache, and feel all-around sick. If you feel like you are getting sick after not eating for half the day just have a snack and you will be all right. Especially since you have a cold and allergies I would say just have water, because even though it will mean you aren't fasting you will recover from your sickness quicker. I truly think that not everyone is meant to fast and you can show atonement in many other (less sickening) ways.

Answer 3

I'm not an expert at Judaism or any other religion for that matter, but I just did some reading and it seems that it is a very important part of your religion. I think it would depend on how devote you are to your religion. If you're not, let your mother know, although my brother-in-law who is Jewish has mentioned that doing that can be hard. You have a right to your own beliefs and if it isn't something you want to do or believe in, then I see no reason why you should.

Talk it over with your parents, maybe even members of your church, you might be surprised, then again I could be completely wrong.

Answer 4

While I do not think one must fast at all on Yom Kippur, it will not hurt your body to do so. In fact, studies show that occasional fasting can actually be good for your body.

Have you been a bat mitzvah yet? You probably know already that these words mean, "One (feminine) to whom the commandments apply". Thus, if the commandment is to fast, and the commandment applies to you...

Also, Gmar hatima tova.

Answer 5

Have you been a Bat Mitzvah yet? If so, it is certainly customary, but nothing should be required. In my opinion, if you are being forced to fast, you aren't soing it for the religious and emotional reasons. In that case, if it doesn't mean anything to you, you shouldn't do it. Hopefully in the coming years, it will mean more to you than it does now.

Answer 6

If you are a girl, then your obligation began when you turned 12. If you are a boy, you should try as much as you can, but it is not an absolute must before you turn 13. Good luck :)

Answer 7

If I don't eat I get a nasty headache and feel sick for two or three days afterwards so I have stopped doing that.

What I have done on some years so I remember the holiday but don't get sick is eat solely bread and water. (no butter, no jam, soda etc) just bread and water.

It prevents you from going hungry, but you are still doing more observing than if you eat everything.

Answer 8

Yes.Because you are already Bat Mitzvah.When your Bat/Bar Mizvah you have to fast.My rabbi encoraged me to since my Bar Mitzvah is in april.I am gonna fast the whole 25 hours.

Answer 9

i think you should try fasting. if during the fast you face difficulty, have a sip of water every half an hour (just a sip!), that is halachicly permitted, and will hydrate your body the amount it needs, just the lack of food alone will not cause you any damage...

Answer 10

12 year olds are not allowed to post to Yahoo Answers. Sorry.
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