Rabbis Refuse Jewish Athletes Permission to Eat on Yom Kippur

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Jewish athletes cannot claim exemption from fasting on Yom Kippur to maintain their physical strength before athletic events, according to a decision of the Budapest rabbis.

The Jewish sport societies of Budapest requested the Kehillah to ask the rabbis to permit four Jewish athletes, who were to participate in the light-heavyweight boxing tournament between Budapest and Berlin on Sunday, the day after Yom Kippur, to eat on Yom Kippur.

The rabbis rejected this request, declaring that athletes of many years experience do not find fasting one day weakening. Only sick persons can be absolved from fasting on Yom Kippur.