The shortest answer to the question, who fasts on Yom Kippur the Jewish day of atonemnent, is Jews but there is more to it than that as not all Jews are required to fast on Yom Kippur. The Jewish fast of Yom Kippur lasts for a little over 25 hours and in that time observant Jews neither eat nor drink at all. The Jewish principle which over rides the commandment to fast on Yom Kippur is the need to preserve live. This means that the only circumstances when fasting is not obligatory is when fasting would endanger a life.

How old do you have to be fast on Yom Kippur?

Jewish males who have reached the age of 13 and one day according to their Hebrew calendar birthday are required to fast on Yom Kippur. Female Jews who have reached the age of 12 and one day are required to fast on Yom Kippur.

Up until the age of 9 children do not fast at all and after that they are encouraged to try fasting at least part of the fast day but total abstinence from food and drink is only observed once they reach bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah age.

Between ages 9 and bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah age kids slowly get into fasting by not eating in on Yom Kippor eve and then having their breakfast a little later the next day, but according to Jewish law they only have to fast once past bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah age.

Women, nursing mothers, sick and elderly people and Yom Kippur fasting

Health pregnant woman have to fast on Yom Kippur

Pregnant Jewish women are required to fast unless there is fear of harm to the fetus or mother, a miscarriage or premature labor. If the pregnancy is a healthy normal one then the pregnant woman is required to fast. Some say that fasting towards the end of the 42 weeks of pregnancy can cause premature labor probably because of the heightened risk of dehydration. A doctor and Rabbi are normally consulted if there is any doubt as to the safety of fasting during pregnancy.

Women in labor can fast but don't have to fastWomen in labor can eat on Yom Kippur if they want to or feel the need but they are not forbidden from fasting. This is because once a woman goes into labor she is considered to be at risk. She remains exempt from fasting throughout the birth of her child.

For 72 hours after giving birth fasting is forbidden on Yom KippurMothers who have only recently given birth are not required to fast and within the first 72 hours after giving birth they are even forbidden to fast. After the first 72 hours and until the next 7th day following the birth the mother can choose to eat if she feels the need. After the seven days she is has to fast unless after consulting her doctor and Rabbi it is agreed that fasting would endanger her health.

Breast feeding women are required to fast on Yom KippurUnless the breast feeding mother's life or health is at risk she is required to fast on Yom Kippur. It is widely presumed that a breast feeding mother does not need to fast as she may stop lactating, but this is not try. The nursing mother should drink a lot of water before and after Yom Kippur to help prevent dehydration and a lack of breast milk. A nursing mother can also prepump milk for Yom Kippur if she wishes to not nurse on the fast day, and she can also give her baby formula for the day. Again the rule is that if fasting would endanger her health or life then in consultation with a Rabbi and doctor she may break the fast.

Sick people and fasting on Yom KippurSick people are not required to fast if fasting will be detrimental to their health immediately or even in the future. I don't mean people with a cold or the measles rather those with a chronic disease, life threatening illnesses or severally injured where fasting could damage their health or worse cause their death.

The elderly and fasting on Yom KippurThe elderly often have life threatening conditions and are more susceptible to illness, in these cases the elderly are permitted to eat on Yom Kippur to preserve their strength and not risk damaging their health. There are many extremely healthy elderly people and those in good health with no health risks should fast on Kippur.

Taking medicine on Yom KippurPill taking on Yom Kippur should be avoided if at all possible and preferably be done just before the fast and/or just after. It the pill is an absolute necessity then a bitter flavored pill may be swallowed without water on Yom Kippur, and not sugar coated pills. If liquid is essential to swallowing the pill then it should be a very small amount of bitter tasting liquid.

If fasting will endanger your life or health then you are not required to fast on Yom Kippur otherwise all Jews that have reached bar/bat mitzvah age are required to fast on Yom Kippur.

I wish you all Tsom Kal (easy fast)!