עברית
Halachot and Customs
According to halacha, may one take a painkiller on Yom Kippur?
Question
Shalom uverachah...! I am a girl who always suffers from chronic menstrual pain. I have never broken the fast on Yom Kippur and I truly do not intend to do so now. My question is that I am currently menstruating and I am really suffering. According to halacha, may I take a painkiller on Yom Kippur, or not? And what can I even do, since I will still be menstruating on Yom Kippur? How can the pain be prevented? Thank you in advance.
Answer
Shalom uverachah
There is no prohibition in taking pills that do not have a pleasant taste, because of the prohibition of eating on Yom Kippur.
If you are in a condition of discomfort that would permit you to swallow a pill on Shabbat, it is also permitted to swallow the pill on Yom Kippur.
If there is no possibility of swallowing the pill without water, it is possible to mix something bitter with a very small amount of water, and in that way swallow the pill.
An easy fast - Menashe Yisrael
