Laws of Fasting

One shouldn’t brush one’s teeth or rinse one’s mouth. [If this will cause great aggravation, there is room to be lenient, provided that one leans forward to prevent any liquid from flowing down one’s throat; that one uses substances unfit for consumption (e.g. Listerine); and that one rinses with less than 86 ml.]

Non-chewable pills may be taken for medical purposes, without water. A Rav should be consulted regarding other medicines.

One may shower, bathe and apply ointments and creams.

When a Bris occurs on a fast, the Seudah takes place at night, after the fast.

One may touch food and engage in its preparation. However, one may not taste food to determine whether it requires salt/spices. Nevertheless, when preparing food for a Seudas Mitzvah scheduled for the night immediately following the fast, one may taste the food, provided that all these conditions are met:

• One expels it without swallowing.
• One tastes only an absolute minimum.
• One does not taste more than 86 ml in total throughout the day.