can you drink water on yom kippur

You are traditionally not allowed to drink water on Yom Kippur as the fast involves abstaining from all food and drink for about 25 hours. This includes water; many observers even avoid brushing teeth or taking non-essential medicines to fully comply with the fast. However, there are important health- related exemptions: children under 13, pregnant and nursing women, and people for whom fasting would endanger their health are exempt and may drink water. There are also rulings allowing limited amounts of water for those with medical needs, sometimes called "shiurim," which is a minimal quantity consumed at specific intervals, and in some cases patients can drink more if medically necessary with rabbinic approval. In sum, drinking water on Yom Kippur is traditionally prohibited during the fast except in cases of health necessity or exemption situations, where small or medicinally approved quantities are allowed to prevent harm.