The cravings of a pregnant woman in Halacha

The cravings of a pregnant woman in Halacha:

Pregnancy often brings heightened sensitivity to tastes and smells, occasionally resulting in powerful cravings. These cravings are not merely physical; according to Halacha, they resonate deeply with the soul of the unborn child. As such, Jewish law prioritizes the welfare of both the mother and the fetus, even allowing exceptions to strict prohibitions when necessary to safeguard their lives. Practically, while it is extremely rare today in modern times for a pregnant woman’s craving to be defined as Pikuach Nefesh from a medical perspective, nonetheless, from this we can learn additional laws which can apply even today.

1. A craving can be Pikuach Nefesh:[1]

If a pregnant woman smells a certain food and craves after it to the point that her face changes color[2], or to the point that she feels she must eat it[3] [lest she or her fetus will die], then this craving enters the status of Pikuach Nefesh. A craving for food after smelling it can potentially lead to miscarriage if the person does not eat the food.[4] The reason for this is because also the fetus has smelled the scent of this food and craves after it and if she doesn’t eat it, it is possible that the fetus will try to exit the womb in order to eat it.[5] This will endanger the life of both the mother and fetus. [However, this only applies if she craves after the food to the above point that her face changes color or she feels that she may miscarry if she does not eat it. However, a regular craving which pregnant women typically have does not fall under this category of Pikuach Nefesh.]

The law on Yom Kippur: A woman who craves a food to the above state of Pikuach Nefesh, may be given to eat the food even on Yom Kippur, if necessary to calm down her craving and explaining to her that it is Yom Kippur does not suffice. However, initially we first whisper in her ear that today is Yom Kippur, and perhaps she will be able to control herself. If she calms down as a result, and the fetus stops its craving through this reminder, then so be it.[6] If not, then she is to have some of the food placed in the cavity of her mouth with a stick, as perhaps she will calm down as a result. If this too does not help to calm her down, and her face still remains with a changed color or she still remain steadfast that she must eat the food, then she is to be given from the gravy of the food (less than the Shiur). If this too does not suffice to calm her down then she is to be given the food itself to eat (less than the Shiur) until she calms down.[7]

The law by non-Kosher food:[8] A woman who craves a food to the above state of Pikuach Nefesh, may even be given non-Kosher food to eat if she smells it and craves after it, and not giving her to eat the food can cause her life or the life of her fetus to be in danger. This, however, only applies and there is no other way of calming her down, and explaining to her that the food is not Kosher does not suffice, as explained above.

1. Derivative laws:

Not to pass by and smell non-Kosher food:[9] Due to the above, it is extremely important for a pregnant woman to be very careful not to pass by non-Kosher food that has a good scent in order so she does not crave after it and need to eat it in order to calm down her craving to save the life of herself and her fetus.

Not to offer or mention unavailable foods:[10] Likewise, due to the above reason one should not show or mention to a pregnant woman a food that is not available for her to eat, in order so she does not crave after it and G-d forbid cause her to miscarry.

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[1] Admur 617:2; Michaber 617:2; Rambam Yom Kippur 2:9; Mishneh Yuma 82a [8:5]; Ketzos Hashulchan 147:2 p. 7; Shevach Habris 1:9

[2] Admur ibid; Rama 617:1; Rabbeinu Yerucham Nesiv 20; Ramban in Toras Hadam Shaar Hasakana

[3] Admur ibid; M”A 617:1

[4] Admur ibid; Rosh Yuma 8:13; Ran Yuma 3b; Bahag Yom Kippur

[5] Admur ibid; Rashi ibid

[6] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid; Tur ibid; Rambam ibid; Yuma 82b; Rashi ibid;

[7] Admur ibid; Michaber ibid; Tur ibid; Rambam ibid; Mishneh ibid and Gemara 82a; M”A ibid; See Besamim Rosh 353 that in today’s times we don’t even try to calm her down as it is a matter of danger and we give her to eat right away whether on Yom Kippur war with a non-Kosher  food, brought in Pischeiy Olam 617:2 and Kaf Hachaim 617:7

[8] Issur Viheter Hearuch 60:5; Kaf Hachaim 617:7 in name of Levush; Ketzos Hashulchan ibid; See Erech Hashulchan 617:1 brought in Kaf Hachaim ibid; See also Besamim Rosh 353 that in today’s times we don’t even try to calm her down as it is a matter of danger and we give her to eat right away whether on Yom Kippur war with a non-Kosher  food, brought in Pischeiy Olam 617:2 and Kaf Hachaim ibid

[9] Ketzos Hashulchan ibid

[10] Shevilei Emuna Nesiv Hei Shevil 1; Nitei Gavriel 56:11

[11] Yerushalmi Chagiga 9b