One of my best friends is a practicing Jew.  I wish she would reply here,
but she is snowed under at work.  She explained it to me like this:  Young
children are not required to fast, they aren't capable of making the
decision to do so.  Hence infants are not required to fast.  A pregnant
woman fasting means the fetus is fasting, not necessary (nor smart).  Young
Breastfed infants would have their food source compromised by a maternal
fast (toddlers may not notice), so mothers of breastfed BABIES are not
required to fast.

Someone mentioned that it depends on the rabbi.  She said yes, it is common
to request permission from the rabbi to abstain from fasting (is that a
double negative?), and that different rabbis give different directives.  As
compassionate as Judaism is I would think a rabbi presented with evidence
(i.e. research) would give dispensation.

Why are all us Protestants replying to a question about Judaism?

Warmly,
Dawn Martin
Austin, TX

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