Chassan or Kallah Breaking the Fast Before the Chuppah due to not feeling well

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I have a very difficult time fasting, especially from liquids. I suffer from migraines, and I would like to know how important it is to fast on the day of the wedding. If I feel a migraine coming on and am in significant pain—so much so that I am unable to concentrate or be fully present on the most important day of my life, particularly by the Chuppah—am I permitted to break my fast?

Thank you very much.

Answer

If you begin to feel unwell on the day of your wedding as a result of the fast, you are permitted to break the fast, and should be encouraged to do so. You should begin by drinking liquids, and if that is not sufficient to relieve your symptoms, you may also eat. However, you should still limit the amount of food as much as possible, and not eat any unnecessary foods. Likewise, you are not to consume any alcoholic beverages.

Explanation

Although it is an Ashkenazic custom for the Chassan and Kallah to fast on the day of their wedding, this fast is a custom rather than an absolute obligation. For this reason, it carries with it certain significant leniencies. One of these leniencies is that the Poskim rule that if it is difficult for one to fast and he or she becomes very weak due to it, then they are permitted to break their fast. Feeling unwell—including experiencing pain, weakness, or illness—is all the more so a valid reason to break a fast. This principle applies even to established communal fast days, including Tisha B’Av, in which we rule that a sick person is exempt from fasting even on these days of public fast days. Certainly, then, the custom of fasting on one’s wedding day is no more stringent than these fasts. Therefore, if fasting causes the Chassan or Kallah physical distress that interferes with their ability to be present, focused, and emotionally engaged on their wedding day, they may break the fast without hesitation.

Sources:

Aruch Hashulchan 61:21; Ashel Avraham 593; Mateh Efraim 625:2; Hisorerus Teshuvah E.H. 25; Nitei Gavriel 5:1

See regarding the general custom to fast on the day of the wedding: Rama E.H. 61:1; Beis Shmuel 61:6; Maharam Mintz 109; Mahariy Bruno 93; Rokeiach 353; Tashbeitz 465; Birkeiy Yosef 470:2; Yabia Omer 3:9-5

See regarding the exemption of a sick person fasting even on Tishe Beav and other public fast days: Michaber 554:6 regarding Tishe Be’av; Rama 686:2 [regarding Taanis Esther]; Chayeh Adam 133:6; M”B 550:4; Kaf Hachaim 550:7