Rosh Hashana - Fasting

QUESTION: Is one permitted to fast on Rosh Hashanah?

ANSWER: Shulchan Aruch (OC 597:1) rules that one is not permitted to fast on Rosh Hashanah. Rather, one must eat, drink and rejoice. Nonetheless, unlike other Yomim Tovim, one should not overindulge, lest the solemn nature of the day be obscured. However, there were Rishonim who held that it is permissible, and even a mitzvah, to fast during the daytime, because Rosh Hashanah is a time for teshuva. There were holy people who fasted on Rosh Hashanah. Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, zt"l related that his great-grandfather, the Beis HaLevi, fasted on Rosh Hashanah. Though this is not the generally accepted halacha, this opinion is not completely rejected. Mishnah Berurah (597:2) cites the Levush who writes that according to all opinions, one may extend the prayers on Rosh Hashanah past chatzos (midday), even though this is considered a form of fasting which is forbidden on Shabbos and other Yomim Tovim. In this case, since fasting is done to facilitate teshuva, it is permitted.

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