You don’t have to sacrifice your physical or mental health to have a meaningful Yom Kippur. In Judaism there’s a principle called ‘pikuach nefesh’ which means “preservation of life” and it comes before almost every other commandment, including fasting. That means if fasting could harm your physical or mental health, whether that’s because you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have a medical condition like diabetes that requires eating at regular intervals, or have an eating disorder or are in eating disorder recovery, Jewish law says your wellbeing comes first. You can still observe the day through prayer, reflection, community, or acts of kindness. Eating to keep yourself safe doesn’t make you a bad Jew. Protecting your wellbeing is a mitzvah in itself. If you’re unsure about whether it’s safe for you to fast, reach out to a doctor, dietitian, therapist, or your rabbi to help you decide what’s best for you. Wishing those who are fasting an easy fast and to everyone, a meaningf...