Q. A friend of mine is undergoing heart surgery on the Friday before Yom Kippur and won’t be able to fast this year. Since he is very disturbed and upset by this, (it will be the first time in his life he omits fasting Yom Kippur), he decided to at least fast another day as a compensation. When is it better to fast later on, after Yom Kippur when he is already well and able or before Yom Kippur, early enough so it won’t affect his health?
A. There is no need for one to fast another day as compensation for not being able to fast on Yom Kippur for medical reasons, however, one may do so.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if he so desires, he should better fast during the Asseres Yemei Teshuva, the ten days of repentance between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, since it is a time when fasting is propitious and favorable. (Remah O.H. 581: 2).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a