Question:
My son is twelve years old and will become Bar Mitzvah next year. Likewise, my daughter is eleven years old and will become BasMitzvah next year. I have heard that children must fast on Yom Kippur starting from age eleven. Does this mean that my son and daughter have to fast the entire day of Yom Kippur? Is this obligatory today, or should children simply fast for a few hours?
Short Answer:
This matter is subject to a dispute amongst the Poskim. Some authorities rule that once a child reaches the age of eleven, he or she is Rabbinically obligated to fast the entire day of Yom Kippur as preparation for adulthood. Other authorities maintain that the obligation to complete the fast does not begin until Bar or Bas Mitzvah, and until then the child is only educated by delaying meals.
Practically, although the main halachic ruling follows the stricter view, nevertheless the accepted custom today is that children who are eleven years old do not generally complete the entire fast, as children today are considered physically weaker than in previous generations. However, if a child is known to be particularly healthy and strong and capable of fasting safely, then there is room to be more stringent. At the very least, it is proper for such a child to fast for a significant part of the day, such as until midday.
Explanation:
One of the fundamental principles of Judaism is the obligation of chinuch, educating a child to observe the mitzvos before he reaches adulthood. The purpose of chinuch is to ease the child’s transition into full Torah observance once he becomes Bar or Bas Mitzvah.
Accordingly, Chazal established special guidelines regarding the Yom Kippur fast. Since fasting for an entire day can be difficult and potentially dangerous for younger children, they did not require children to observe Yom Kippur in the same manner as adults. Rather, the obligations increase gradually as the child grows older.
Children Below Nine Years Old
The Poskim rule that children below the age of nine should not be made to fast at all. Not only are they not required to fast, but one should not unnecessarily delay their meals. If such a child requests food or drink, he should be given it. Even if the child wishes to fast on his own, he should be discouraged from doing so.
Children Between Nine and Eleven
Beginning from age nine for a healthy child, and age ten for a weaker child, the child begins formal chinuch for fasting. However, this does not mean a full fast. Rather, the child is educated by delaying meals beyond their normal time. For example, if the child normally eats lunch at a certain hour, the meal should be delayed somewhat according to what the child is capable of handling.
The Special Status of an Eleven-Year-Old
The year or two [for a boy] prior to Bar or Bas Mitzvah receives special attention in the Poskim.
The Gemara in Yuma records a dispute between Rav Nachman and Rebbe Yochanon whether an eleven-year-old has a Rabbinic obligation to complete the entire Yom Kippur fast. Some Rishonim (mainly Rishonei Sepharad) rule like Rav Nachman and maintain that once a child reaches this age, he should already be fasting the entire day, and so rules the Michaber in his Shulchan Aruch. Other Rishonim (mainly Rishonei Ashkenaz) disagree and maintain that even at age eleven there is no obligation to complete the fast, and the child continues only with the regular chinuch of delaying meals so records the Rama in his glosses on the Shulchan Aruch as an additional opinion. The Alter Rebbe cites both opinions and rules, as does the Rama, that the primary halacha follows the stricter view. Nevertheless, he immediately adds that if the child is weak and unable to withstand the fast comfortably, one may be lenient even if there is no medical danger.
Why Is the Custom Today More Lenient?
Despite the above ideal ruling like the stringent opinion, the Alter Rebbe later explains based on the Magen Avraham that the custom in later generations became not to require eleven-year-old children to complete the fast, even if he is not visibly weak. He provides two reasons.
- First, children today devote much more time to Torah study, and intensive learning weakens a person’s physical strength.
- Second, people generally are not as physically strong as they were in earlier generations, and therefore many children are categorized as weak regarding this halacha.
For this reason, many communities do not require even healthy eleven-year-olds to complete the entire Yom Kippur fast before Bar or Bas Mitzvah.
A very strong eleven-Year-Old
The above leniency is not absolute. The Alter Rebbe’s intent is not that all eleven-year-olds are exempt from fasting regardless of their condition. On the contrary, if one knows with certainty that a particular child is healthy, strong, and capable of sustaining the fast, then the rationale for the leniency no longer applies. In such a case, many Poskim write that the child should be educated in accordance with the primary ruling and complete the fast. However, if one does not know for certain, then he or she is not to fast.
Does This Mean They Should Eat Normally?
Certainly not.
Although the custom today is generally not to require a full fast, this does not mean that the child should treat Yom Kippur like any other day. The Poskim write that it is proper for an eleven-year-old to fast for a significant portion of the day. Many recommend that the child attempt to fast until at least midday, assuming this can be done safely and comfortably.
Furthermore, parents should use this year to prepare the child emotionally and spiritually for the fact that next year he or she will be fully obligated in the fast.
A Famous Story of the Frierdiker Rebbe
The Frierdiker Rebbe related that when he was seven years old, his father, the Rebbe Rashab, instructed him not to eat during the night of Yom Kippur and to fast the next day until noon. The following year he completed the entire fast and thereafter fasting became much easier for him. This story illustrates the gradual educational approach that was traditionally used in preparing children for the Yom Kippur fast.
To summarize the development of the halacha:
The Talmud records a dispute regarding whether a child in the year prior to Bar or Bas Mitzvah is required to complete the Yom Kippur fast. Some opinions maintain that an eleven-year-old child is Rabbinically obligated to complete the fast, while others rule that even at that age the child need only fast for several hours as part of chinuch. The Rama and Alter Rebbe conclude that the primary halacha follows the stricter opinion that an eleven-year-old should complete the fast. However, the Rama and Alter Rebbe then rules that a child who is weak, frail, or has difficulty fasting may rely on the lenient opinion and is not required to complete the fast even if no danger is involved. He then further explains based on the Achronim that due to the realities of later generations, in which children are generally weaker and are weakened further by their Torah studies, the accepted custom became not to require eleven-year-old children to complete the fast. Nevertheless, this leniency is based on the assumption that today’s children are generally weak. Accordingly, if one knows with certainty that a particular child is healthy, strong, and capable of sustaining the fast, then the basis for the leniency no longer exists, and the child should be educated according to the primary ruling and complete the fast beginning from age eleven. This applies equally to boys and girls during the year prior to Bar or Bas Mitzvah.
Summary Table
| Age | Requirement |
| Below 9 (healthy child) | No fasting at all |
| Age 9-10 | Delay meals as part of chinuch |
| Age 11 | Subject to dispute; custom today is generally not to require a complete fast |
| Healthy and particularly strong 11-year-old | There is room to be more stringent to fast entire day |
| Bar Mitzvah boy (13) / Bas Mitzvah girl (12) | Full obligation to fast |
Summary Chart: Fasting of an 11-Year-Old on Yom Kippur
| Stage | Halachic Development | Practical Outcome |
| 1. Original Talmudic Dispute | The Gemara records two opinions. One opinion requires an 11-year-old child (boy or girl) to complete the Yom Kippur fast as a Rabbinic obligation of chinuch. The other opinion requires only fasting for part of the day. | Dispute whether an 11-year-old must fast the entire day. |
| 2. Primary Halacha | The Alter Rebbe rules that the main opinion follows the stringent view that an 11-year-old should complete the fast. | An 11-year-old should ideally fast the entire day. |
| 3. Weak Child Exception | The Alter Rebbe then rules that if the child is weak, frail, or has difficulty fasting, one may rely on the lenient opinion even if there is no danger involved. | A weak child does not need to complete the fast. |
| 4. Custom in Later Generations | The Alter Rebbe explains that nowadays children are generally weaker due to Torah study and the general decline in physical strength of later generations. | The accepted custom became not to require 11-year-olds to complete the fast. |
| 5. Important Qualification | This leniency is based on the assumption that today’s children are generally weak. If one knows that a particular child is healthy and strong enough to sustain the fast, the reason for the leniency no longer exists. | A healthy and robust child should be educated according to the primary ruling and complete the fast. |
| 6. Practical Minimum | Even where one follows the contemporary leniency, many write that the child should fast for a significant part of the day, at least until midday if able. | Proper to fast until chatzos (midday) when possible. |
Sources:
See Admur 616:5-11; Michaber 616:2; Rambam Shevisas Eser 2:10; Yuma 82a; Piskeiy Teshuvos 616:2; Nitei Gavriel 36; Encyclopedia Talmudit Vol. 16 p. 183-188; Chinuch Habanim Kehilchasa 92:1-26; 93:1-14; 94:1
- Regarding children below age nine not fasting: Admur 616:10; Michaber 616:2; Rambam Hilchos Yom Kippur 2:11.
- Regarding delaying meals beginning at age nine: Admur 616:5; Michaber 616:2; Mishnah Yuma 82a.
- Regarding the dispute whether an eleven-year-old must complete the fast: Admur 616:6 “A child who is eleven complete years old, whether male or female, fasts and completes the fast by Rabbinic law in order to educate them in the mitzvos. There are those who say, however, that even a girl who is eleven complete years old and a boy who is twelve complete years old are not required to complete the entire fast, even by Rabbinic law. Rather, they are only educated to fast for several hours, in the manner explained previously. Since the obligation of education (chinuch) is itself only Rabbinic, the Sages did not wish to be so stringent with them as to require fasting until nightfall. Rather, it suffices to educate them by fasting for part of the day according to their strength. Although the main ruling follows the first opinion, nevertheless, regarding a youth who is thin, weak, physically frail, and not strong enough to endure the fast, one may rely upon the latter opinion and feed him. This applies even if there is no concern whatsoever of danger should he complete the fast.”; Machmir Opinions: 1st opinion in Admur 616:6; Michaber 616:2; Rambam Hilchos Yom Kippur 2:10; Rif; Rav Nachman in Yuma 82a. Opposing opinion: 2nd opinion in Admur ibid; Rama 616:2; Rebbe Yochanon Yuma ibid; Bahag; Tosafos Kesubos 50a; Or Zarua 2:278; Rokeiach 217; Yireim 51; Hagahos Maimanis 2:10
- Regarding the accepted custom today not to require a full fast from eleven-year-olds: Admur 616:11 “The reason that the accepted custom today is not to require an eleven-year-old child to complete the entire Yom Kippur fast is because children nowadays devote themselves to Torah study, and Torah study weakens a person’s physical strength. Accordingly, they are not viewed as physically robust regarding this obligation. Since it was already established that a child who is not strong may rely on the lenient opinion and need not complete the fast, the custom developed not to require full fasting before Bar or Bas Mitzvah. Additionally, because physical weakness has become more prevalent in later generations, the ordinary child is not presumed to possess the level of strength necessary for a complete fast. Only where it is known that a particular child is exceptionally healthy and strong should stricter standards be considered.”; Magen Avraham 616:2; Bach 616; Mishnah Berurah 616:9; Matzh Efarim 616:7; Aruch Hashulchan 616:7; See Machaatzis Hashekel on M”A ibid; Elya Raba 616
- Regarding healthy and strong children: Implication of Admur 616:11; Mishnah Berurah 616:9; Piskei Teshuvos 616:2.
- Regarding fasting until midday: Yalkut Yosef, cited in Piskei Teshuvos 616:2.
- Regarding the story of the Frierdiker Rebbe: Likkutei Dibburim, vol. 4 p. 1418.