Swallowing Saliva on Yom Kippur

Shalom u-vrachah,

It is permitted to swallow saliva on Yom Kippur.

Sources: The Mishnah Berurah (siman 567, s.k. 13), citing the Magen Avraham, writes that it is permitted to swallow one’s saliva even on Yom Kippur, for although we rule (in siman 612, seif 6) that one who drinks liquids that are not fit for drinking is exempt but forbidden, here it is different, since he has no intention whatsoever of drinking. See also Aruch HaShulchan (there, seif 4), who wrote that it is impossible in any other way, for otherwise we would have to stand and spit the entire day. Likewise, in Chazon Ovadia, Yamim Noraim (page 310), it is ruled that it is permitted for any person to swallow the saliva in his mouth on Yom Kippur, and there is no concern of any prohibition, and there is no reason to be stringent at all. See also the book Moadim U-Zemanim, part 1 (siman 59), which writes that there are individuals who customarily act stringently, and, as is heard, the Gaon Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, of blessed memory, and likewise we saw that his son, our master the Griz Soloveitchik, of blessed memory, were very careful and stringent with themselves not to swallow saliva on Yom Kippur, because they were greatly concerned for the view of those who prohibit. End quote.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs