Question 1

What does “a mitzvah to eat” mean?

Accepted Answer

We use this term for eating that is required by Jewish tradition, in order to protect life, health, and safety. We often use this phrasing in connection to Jewish fast days, with the following language: When fasting is safe, it is a mitzvah to fast. When fasting is unsafe, it is a mitzvah to eat.

Question 2

Why would someone fast when it is unsafe to do so?

Accepted Answer

In a 2023 survey, we asked exactly that question: "Knowing that you weren't able to safely fast, why did you do so anyway?"  Here are some of the answers we received: “I felt so alone in eating.”“Fasting has been so ingrained in growing up Jewish that it felt wrong not to.”“I felt so guilty and ashamed, like I was failing by honoring my body’s medical needs.”“I felt like my observance wasn’t enough without fasting.”

Question 3

Your name references language that you originally created for use with Jewish fast days. Why did your work expand to include ritual accommodations for Pesach and other parts of the Jewish year?

Accepted Answer

When we began our work in November 2021, our original plan was to support Jews unable to safely fast.

It took only a few months to wonder if the problem we were trying to solve - that on fast days, many of these Jews felt shame, spent the day alone, or even tried to fast to feel more connected to community - wasn’t really about fasting.

Rather, there was a broader tension between needing accommodations to safely observe Jewish ritual and feeling like a full participant in Jewish practice and community.

We tested our hypothesis on Pesach in 2022, creating a prayer supporting Jews unable to safely abstain from eating chametz (leavened products). The language of the prayer provided ways to connect with and participate Jewishly on Pesach through the life-saving action of eating chametz. Within hours, that content reached thousands of people on social media.

At that point, we understood that we had uncovered an immense need. So, we expanded our work.

Question 4

Since you now provide resources and peer support throughout the Jewish calendar year, why did you retain your original name?

Accepted Answer

While our work does extend to the rest of the Jewish calendar, Jewish fast days remain an area of focus. In addition, much of the Jewish calendar centers around food, so this name has been meaningful in other ways. Lastly, our name is a statement that safe observance is part of Jewish law, tradition, and practice.

Question 5

Surely it is rare to be unable to safely observe a Jewish ritual. Why would dedicated resources and support be necessary?

Accepted Answer

Survey data from Brandeis University Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies found that 10% of the Jewish population in the United States was unable to fast for medical reasons. (Estimated from a combined dataset of 25 Jewish community studies.) Add to that number the people who are unable to safely observe other Jewish rituals throughout the Jewish calendar year. There are people in every Jewish community and around the world who are unable to safely observe Jewish rituals. They deserve our Jewish communal support.

Question 6

Who is using A Mitzvah to Eat's resources?

Accepted Answer

We are honored that our resources have used by synagogues and individuals from diverse Jewish backgrounds and movements. Additionally, our website has been seen by thousands of unique visitors across 83 countries.

Question 7

Do you make referrals for healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities, or rabbis with whom I can speak regularly?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are not able to make healthcare referrals or facilitate rabbinic relationships of that nature.

Question 8

Do you offer personalized guidance? For example, if someone is unsure whether fasting is safe for them or whether they are safely able to avoid eating chametz on Pesach, do you tell them what to do?

Accepted Answer

We cannot and do not provide guidance for anyone’s specific circumstances. We do offer general guidance, such as these answers to Frequently asking Questions for Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av. We also offer online programming about how to navigate these kinds of decisions. These resources may empower you to observe in ways that are safe for you.

For personalized guidance about what is safe for you, you might consider whether a conversation with a healthcare professional is right for you. Once you have spoken to a healthcare professional, some people choose to speak with a rabbi as well.

In selecting to consult rabbis and halakhic (Jewish law) advisors, we recommend that you choose someone who will use thoughtful listening techniques, encourage consultations with healthcare professionals, and create a plan that is safe for the person with whom they are communicating. If you ever receive advice that feels unsafe, please seek out additional guidance and support.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT A MITZVAH TO EAT