Siman 616

Children are permitted to eat and drink, and likewise to wash and to anoint when they need this. Except regarding the wearing of the sandal, for it is proper to train them, because we are not so concerned about this, as many times even without Yom Kippur they do not wear a sandal, and why should they not be trained in this on this holy day? But eating and drinking are necessary for them, and washing and anointing depend on their habit. And among us, children are not accustomed to this, and therefore it seems that it is proper to train them in this as well. The time for training will be explained in section 4.

Regarding eating and drinking – an adult may feed them and give them to drink, and we do not decree lest he come to eat himself, as in the case of chametz on Pesach or a nazir with wine. For it is not comparable, as there he eats all foods, and therefore we fear he will eat this as well. This is not the case on Yom Kippur, and furthermore, the awe of judgment is upon him. There is one who wishes to be stringent in this, but it is not the primary view (see Beit Yosef). However, if the male child or female child do not need to be fed – one prepares the foods for them, and they eat by themselves. This is not because of the prohibition, but because of the exertion, and why should he do himself something for which there is no need?

But regarding washing and anointing—the Israelite should not do it himself for the child, for at the time that he washes and anoints the child, he also derives a bit of benefit himself. Therefore, he should tell a non-Jew to wash and anoint the child. And there is one who says that even the Israelite himself is permitted to wash them and anoint them (Bach), as this is not called benefit. And there is one who distinguishes between hot water and cold water: for with cold water, where the prohibition is only because of affliction, and since it was permitted for children, he is permitted to do it himself. But with hot water, which is prohibited even on Shabbat—he should not do it himself, only through a non-Jew (Magen Avraham, subsection 1). However, in the Gemara (78a) it is explained that even with hot water it is permitted, see there (Eliyahu Rabbah). And there is a difference between Shabbat and Yom Tov (ibid.). However, for the practical law now there is no difference, for our children are not accustomed to washing and anointing, and it is prohibited (Levush and Magen Avraham).

And even though one feeds the children—nevertheless, one trains them for hours. For example, if he was accustomed to eating at the second hour of the day—one feeds him at the third. If he was accustomed to eating at the third—one feeds him at the fourth. For there is no concern for his health in a delay of one hour, as sometimes even without this it is delayed by an hour or more. And according to the strength of the child, one adds to his affliction in hours. And this is also the case for a female. And the training is from age nine and up, and not before, as training is not applicable to an absolute minor.

This is the wording of the Tur: A healthy boy – we train him for hours in the eleventh and twelfth year, and in the thirteenth and fourteenth year he completes the fast by rabbinic decree, and in the fifteenth year he completes it from the Torah. And the sick child (meaning:) who is not strong enough to endure the fast – we train him for hours in the twelfth and thirteenth year, and in the fourteenth year he completes it by rabbinic decree, and in the fifteenth year he completes it from the Torah. And the girl, who is considered an adult one year earlier than the boy – a healthy girl we train for hours in the tenth and eleventh year, and in the twelfth and thirteenth year she completes it by rabbinic decree, and in the fourteenth year she completes it from the Torah. And the sick girl – we train her for hours in the eleventh and twelfth year, and she completes it by rabbinic decree in the thirteenth year, and from the Torah in the fourteenth year. And just as we train them regarding eating – so we train them regarding washing and anointing. Thus far his words.

But the Rambam at the end of the second chapter wrote: A minor of nine years and of ten years – we train him for hours, etc. At eleven years of age, whether male or female – one fasts and completes by rabbinic decree, in order to train him in the mitzvot. A girl of twelve years and one day, and a boy of thirteen years and one day who have brought two hairs – behold, they are like adults for all the mitzvot, and they complete by Torah law. But if they have not brought two hairs – they are still minors, and they do not complete except by rabbinic decree. A minor who is less than nine years old – we do not afflict him on Yom Kippur, so that he should not come to danger. Thus far his words. And even if he wishes to be stringent upon himself – we do not allow him, for one less than nine years old can be endangered. And their dispute depends on the sugya of the Shas.

And there are some of our teachers who hold that by rabbinic decree—there is no completion at all. For they ruled like Rava in the Gemara (82a) who says so, see there. And such is the custom of the world. Our teacher, the Rema, wrote that one may rely on them regarding a youth who is gaunt and is not strong enough to fast. Thus far his words. And nowadays, for the most part, children study, and they are gaunt and weak (Bach, and Magen Avraham at the end of subsection 2). However, chinuch for hours—we practice even in this time, for regarding this there is no disputant. And know that a son of thirteen years and one day, and a daughter of twelve years and one day, if we do not know if they brought two hairs—they are obligated to fast by Torah law. For anyone who has reached the years—there is a presumption that he brought signs. And even if we do not see the signs now—we are concerned that perhaps they fell out, for a doubt regarding Torah law is to be treated stringently. And even if he is soft and gaunt, and even if he becomes thirteen on Yom Kippur, unless we know clearly that he has not yet brought hairs. And if he is certainly an adult, but they say that he will not tolerate the fast and will become ill—they shall ask the doctors, and his law is like all the sick who will be explained in siman 618. And there is no difference in this between a son and a daughter.