If someone's stomach hurts on Sheva asar b'tammuz, should she fast? Or do these extenuating circumstances free her from her obligation?
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1It's hard to imagine there's a specific categorical exemption of "stomach pain".– Double AA ♦Jun 27, 2021 at 17:24
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2 Answers
On 17 Tammuz, like on Tzom Gedalyia and 10 Tevet, the law is that
One who is ill, even if his life is not in danger, should not fast (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:9)
adds the Mishna Brura (550:4)
Indeed it is prohibited for one who suffers greatly by the fast to be stringent upon himself and fast.
As to what considers "ill" and "suffers greatly", one should ask his or her Rav, who can ask further questions and personalize an answer for the particular person.
Refua shlema !
According to Jewish law no. According to science yes. A middle path would be to fast according to Jewish law on Jewish holidays but on a regular basis, fast according to biology (on every other day of the week).
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2Would you mind clarifying why Jewish law prohibits it and why science allows it? Jun 27, 2021 at 18:29
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2Science doesn't tell you what to do. It may tell you what is likely to happen if you do or don't do something.– AlexJun 27, 2021 at 18:32
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@YosefZaghi Because according to Jewish law one should fast unless one is terminally ill. A stomach cramp would not constitute as being terminally ill. Jun 27, 2021 at 18:39
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4"Because according to Jewish law one should fast unless one is terminally ill." This is patently false. See, for example, the answer right above you, which says explicitly (with a valid source) that a non-terminally ill person need not fast. Jun 27, 2021 at 19:32
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1Not sure why this is downvoted so much. It answers the question, albeit without sources.– YehudaJul 16, 2021 at 15:19