Halachot and Customs
Taking a Pill on the Fast of Tishah B'Av
Question
Honored Rabbi, hello.
I began fertility treatments this month, and I need to take a pill in the morning. I wanted to know whether I may swallow the pill with a little water, and whether I should recite Shehakol.
Thank you in advance.
Answer
To the questioner,
If you are able to swallow the pills without water, do so. If you are unable to swallow them without water, you may swallow them with a little water, less than 40 ml. (Chazon Ovadia, Four Fasts, p. 279, s.v. sick person). Since you are not deriving enjoyment from the water, but are using it only for a technical purpose, no blessing is recited.
Menashe ben Porat
