Fasting in Judaism

Fasting is already mentioned in the Pentateuch ( Lev. 16:31 and others); it was an integral part of the ritual in the era of the First Temple ( Isa. 1:13 according to the Septuagint ; Jer. 36: 9 ; cf. Joel. 1:14 ; 2: 15-17 ). The right to declare the post belonged to the elders of the local communities, which, however, could be ordered to do so by the royal order (for example, 1 Kings 21: 8-12 ).

In ancient times, fasting had different goals.

• In a sign of mourning. The death of King Saul was marked by one-day fasting ( 2 Sam. 1:12 ), and among the people especially devoted to him - seven-day fast ( 1 Sam. 31:13 ). King David’s refusal to fast after the death of his son ( 2 Sam. 12: 21-23 ) aroused the surprise of the courtiers.

• To prevent or mitigate a disaster. In the face of a natural or public disaster, a public post was declared. Thus, the Israelites fasted before the battles against the tribe of Benjamin ( Judges 20:26 ), the Philistines ( 1 Sam. 7: 6 ; 14:24 ) and enemies in Zaordan ( 2 Chronicles 20: 3 ). The people fasted to beg God to end the hunger caused by the invasion of locusts ( Joel. 1:14 ; 2: 12,15 ). Fasting was also observed in the hope of averting the threat of extermination by the Babylonians ( Jer. 36: 3,9 ) and Persians ( Esther. 4: 3,16 ) and causing God's saving intervention (for example, 1 Samuel 7: 9 ), to soften the weight of the foreign yoke ( Ne. 9: 1 ), as well as averting the impending threat of divine punishment (as it may have been when Navot was accused of blasphemy - 1 Kings 21: 9 ).

• Like an act that accompanied a prayer. So, in order to be honored with the sight of the Lord, Moses fasted for forty days ( Exodus 34:28 ; according to Deut. 9: 9, 18 - twice); Saul fasted on the eve of his meeting with the spirit of Samuel ( 1 Sam. 28:20 ); In response to his prayer and fasting, visions were sent to Daniel ( Dan. 9: 3 ; cf. 10: 3 ). And also before committing a particularly important act by representatives of the people (1 Kings 21:12 ).

• Fasting was seen as an act of repentance , an expression of submission and supplication, through which God can be forgiven. In the Talmud ^[1] fasting is compared to sacrifice ; the suffering of the human body is seen as bringing human blood and fat to the altar. Thus, King David fasted in the hope that God would have mercy and save the life of his son ( 2 Sam. 12: 16-17, 22 ); God softened the punishment of Ahab because he fasted and humiliated himself (1 Kings 21: 27-29 ; see also Psalm 34:13 ; 68:11 ; Ezra. 10: 6 ).

The most famous fasting day in Judaism is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), when Halachah forbids eating, drinking, washing, leather shoes, oiling and marital intimacy. Nevertheless, this day in Jewish tradition is a holiday. This post, as well as the post of the Ninth of Av (Tisha be-Av) (which also forbids these five things), lasts from sunset to the appearance of stars in the evening of the next day, that is, more than 24 hours.

Fasting of the Ninth Av is preceded by three mourning weeks, during the last week it is forbidden, for example, to wash with hot water and eat meat and wine.

Less strict fasting, when food and drink is forbidden, 3 Tishrei ( Fast Gedalia ), 10 Teveta and 17 Tammuz are noted. Before Purim , the post of Esther is marked in memory of the events described in the book of Esther ( Esther ), and before Passover there is the so-called post of the first-born . All these posts last from dawn to the stars.

There are also a number of optional posts, for example, on New Year’s Eve, firstborn on the eve of Passover , three days on the lunar calendar on the second day after Passover and on the fifth and one week in the second ^{[2] [3]} a month after the holidays ^[4] : Passover and Sukkot . The Torah is read publicly in the synagogue on Mondays and Thursdays (associated with the fast). Siddur also contains special prayers for Monday and Thursday (associated with fasting).

The Talmud contains many tales of fasting. For example, p. Zadok fasted for 40 years so that Jerusalem would not be destroyed. The Mar Bar Rav Ashi fasted year-round, except for a few days, etc.

• Jewish Encyclopedia , Ed. Islands for Scientific Jewish Ed. and Brockhaus-Efron. St. Petersburg: 1906-1913; reprint: M .: Terra, 1991. ISBN 5-85255-057-4 .
• Brief Jewish Encyclopedia , Ed. Jewish Community Research Islands. Jerusalem: 1976-2005.

• Post - article from the Electronic Jewish Encyclopedia