Feature Stories
Volumne 16 Number 6
July/August 2000
Tammuz/Sivan/Av 5760
A Jewish Perspective On Fasting
by Cantor Lyle Leibovitz
Do you know that our ancestors fasted? Our Hebrew Bible records several instances of Jews who fasted for different reasons. When our ancestors fasted they abstained from food and drink for a short period of time or in some cases for an extended period of time. The Torah tells us that Moses observed a complete fast neither eating or drinking for forty days as he met with G-d. Moses abstained from food and drink to give himself fully to G-d. (Deut. 9:9). Daniel fasted for an entire three weeks (Dan. 10:3). While in Babylon, the prophet mourned for his people for those who were exiled and for those Jews who had been left in Jerusalem in the midst of a fallen city. Daniel refused to eat and drink. He felt the urgency to connect with G-d and plead for forgiveness on behalf of our people.
We read in the book of Esther that Esther decreed a fast for all the Jews (Est.4:16). Esther decreed a complete fast for three days and three nights. While in Shushan, many Jews felt total destruction of the Jewish people was near by the Persians. However, Esther trusted in G-d for his deliverance and ordered Jews everywhere to observe a fast waiting expectantly for G-d’s deliverance.
When do the fast days occur? Interestingly enough, the prophet Zechariah tells us about the Jewish fasts, which G-d revealed to him, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth months...’” (Zech.8:19). These four fasts occur in the fourth month (Tammuz) on the 17th day, the fifth month (Av), on the 9th day, the seventh month (Tishri) on the 10th day, and the tenth month (Tevet) on the 10th day. These months and their respective days were pivotal in Jewish history. On the 17th of Tammuz in 586 B.C.E. the walls of Jerusalem were breached by Nebuchadnezzar who subsequently destroyed the temple. Likewise, on the 17th of Tammuz in 70 C.E. Titus breached the walls of Jerusalem and subsequently destroyed the holy temple. On the 9th of Av Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the holy temple in 70 E.C. On the 10th day of Tishri our people observe Yom Kippur marking the day of atonement. Israel’s High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies once a year at this time to atone for himself and all Israel. This practice is not observed today, since no temple for ceremonies exists in Jerusalem. However, today pious Jews observe Yom Kippur asking G-d to make atonement for their sins. Another fast occurs on the 10th of Tevet when Jews fast and pray commemorating the siege of Jerusalem (II Kgs.25:1).
Still, Jews fast at other times marking their tragic and painful history. On the 3rd of Tishri Jews fast to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah by Ishamael (Jer. 40-41). Yet another fast occurs on the 13th of Adar to commemorate Esther’s decree. Still, pious Jews fast at other times. For example, they observe a fast on the 14th of Nissan marking the first-born Israelite delivered by G-d while Jews were in Egypt. Also, a Jewish bride and Jewish bridegroom today will fast on their wedding day as a sign of repentance. Some Jews observe a fast on Yahrzeit. Throughout our history Jews have fasted on Mondays and Thursdays, the weekdays of the Torah reading. Also, Kabbalistic Jews fast on the eve of the new moon. Yet, some Jews will fast because of an evil dream.
How do Jews observe the fast days? On the night of Tisha B’Av, pious Jews will not eat, drink, bathe, anoint, wear leather shoes, and cohabitate from sunset to sunset. The fasts in Tevet, Tishri, Tammuz, and Adar begin at sunrise and Jews neither eat or drink, though not a total abstinence like Tisha B’ Av. Prayer and chanting occur among Jews. Prayers such as the amidah, avinu malkeinu, Eicha (Lamentations), and tachanun are done on fast days as well as the various kaddish.
Is fasting mentioned in the New Covenant? It should not surprise you that Yeshua fasted while being tempted (Lk. 4:2). We read about the Pharisee who admitted to fasting (Lk. 18:12). Still, we read about Saul who neither ate or drank for three days (Act 9:9). What can we learn from the New Covenant about fasting? One principle is given for us to take to heart. Yeshua teaches us about our relationship with G-d. Fasting should be from the privacy of our heart and should not be done because the majority does it (Mt. 6:17-18).
What does all this mean to us as believers in Messiah? We can fast to identify with the tragedies that befell our people like the destruction of the Temple. We can fast in crucial emergencies for the sake of our families. Finally, fasting is a great tool to open our hearts to G-d in repentance to align ourselves with his will.
*Editor’s note: The next national fast is the 17th of Tammuz on July 20.
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