Shapiro’s son, Greg, walked up to his father’s rabbi during the break between the Musaf and Mincha services on Yom Kippur.
“Rabbi Pollak, you must help me. I know that we’re supposed to fast this day, but I am so thirsty — I must be allowed to have something to drink!”
Rabbi Pollak quietly, but firmly responded, “I am sorry, but it must be pekuach nefesh (life-threatening) before the fast may be broken.”
“But, you don’t understand,” whined young Shapiro, “if I don’t get something soon, I am going to faint from thirst.”Shapiro had continued on for some time when the rabbi finally relented and instructed the Gabbai to give Greg a shot-glass of water.
Young Shapiro quickly downed the liquid, whereupon he gasped, “That’s the last time I have salt herring for breakfast on Yom Kippur.”
Credit: haruth.com