Jewish 101: Jewish Fast Days

What Are the Jewish Fast Days?

Fasting is an important part of the Jewish calendar, a way to mourn national tragedies, seek repentance, or prepare spiritually. While Yom Kippur is the most well-known fast day, there are several others observed throughout the year, each tied to key events in Jewish history.

The Seventeenth of Tammuz

The seventeenth of Tammuz marks the day when the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Babylonians before the destruction of the first temple. It begins a three-week mourning period leading up to the ninth of Av.

The Ninth of Av

The ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av, is the most somber day on the calendar. Both the first and second temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on this day, centuries apart. Other tragedies, including the expulsion from Spain in 1492 with the inquisition that followed, and events during the Holocaust, are also remembered on this day.

The Fast of Gedaliah

The third of Tishrei, the Fast of Gedaliah, commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed after the first temple's destruction. His death ended the last remnant of Jewish autonomy and led to further exile.

The Tenth of Tevet

The tenth of Tevet recalls the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, the first step toward the temple's destruction. It is often seen as the starting point of national sorrow.

These four fasts are all mentioned in the book of Zechariah as fasts connected to the destruction of the temple and the exile of the Jewish people.

The Fast of Esther

Then we have the Fast of Esther, observed before Purim. It remembers the Jewish people's preparation for the events described in the book of Esther, when they fasted before Esther approached the king on their behalf.

Yom Kippur

And, of course, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is a biblically commanded fast, a day of self-examination, repentance, and reconciliation. Feel free to watch our video on Yom Kippur to learn more about this most holy day on the Jewish calendar.

The Meaning of the Fasts

To summarize, these fasts are special moments to remember, reflect, and realign together. They keep the memory of the past alive and invite each generation to respond with humility and hope.

The theme of fasting is also very prevalent in the New Testament, where we see fasting as a common practice among the disciples of Yeshua, far beyond the fixed days of fasting on the calendar, serving as an example to us.