Ta'anit
Encyclopedia
A ta'anit or taanis or taʿanith in Classical Hebrew is a fast
in Judaism
in which one abstains from all food and drink, including water. A Jewish fast may have one or more purposes, including:
, the Day of Atonement. This is the only fast day mentioned in the Torah
(Leviticus 23:26-32).
Yom Kippur is a full fast, from sunset to darkness the following night. The other full fast is the Ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av
. These fast days carry four additional restrictions - one may not wash his body; wear leather shoes; use colognes, oils or perfumes; have marital relations. Also, Yom Kippur has all the restrictions of Shabbat
.
All other fasts are minor fasts, observed from dawn to sunset, without additional restrictions.
The fast of the Ninth of Av is one of four fasts that exist, in all or in part, in commemoration of events having to do with the destruction of the Temple. The other three are:
The fourth minor fast, observed on the day preceding Purim
, is the Fast of Esther
, Ta'anit Esther, in commemoration of Esther and the Jewish community of Shushan having fasted before she approached the king unbidden.
Additionally, Jewish custom requires firstborn males to observe the day preceding Passover
as the Fast of the Firstborn
, Ta'anit Bechorot. In modern times, however, this fast is rarely observed, as most firstborns opt to attend a siyum
(festive meal celebrating the completion of a Tractate of the Talmud) instead. This is considered a legitimate form of "breaking" the fast, and therefore the firstborn may eat during the rest of the day.
Traditionally, special prayers called selichot
are added in the morning prayer services on many of these days.
(two words) is a meal that takes places following a fast
. It is viewed as a festive meal. The tendency is to overeat after a fast, but this should be avoided. Since the digestive system slows down during fasting, heavy foods such as meat are liable to cause indigestion. Eating light, dairy foods in moderation is considered healthier.
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
in Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
in which one abstains from all food and drink, including water. A Jewish fast may have one or more purposes, including:
- A tool for repentance
- An expression of mourning
- Supplication, such as the Fast of EstherFast of EstherThe Fast of Esther is a Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim...
or a Ta'anit Halom (fast over a disturbing dream).
Jewish Fast Days
The most well-known and well-observed fast is the fast of Yom KippurYom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
, the Day of Atonement. This is the only fast day mentioned in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
(Leviticus 23:26-32).
Yom Kippur is a full fast, from sunset to darkness the following night. The other full fast is the Ninth of Av, Tisha B'Av
Tisha B'Av
|Av]],") is an annual fast day in Judaism, named for the ninth day of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. The fast commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 655 years apart, but on the same Hebrew calendar date...
. These fast days carry four additional restrictions - one may not wash his body; wear leather shoes; use colognes, oils or perfumes; have marital relations. Also, Yom Kippur has all the restrictions of Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
.
All other fasts are minor fasts, observed from dawn to sunset, without additional restrictions.
The fast of the Ninth of Av is one of four fasts that exist, in all or in part, in commemoration of events having to do with the destruction of the Temple. The other three are:
- Fast of GedaliaFast of GedaliaThe Fast of Gedalia , also spelled Gedaliah, is a Jewish fast day from dawn until dusk to lament the assassination of the righteous governor of Judah of that name, which ended Jewish rule following the destruction of the First Temple.-Origins:...
(Tzom Gedalia) - Tenth of TevetTenth of TevetTenth of Tevet , the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, is a minor fast day in Judaism. It is a "low fast" observed from sunrise to sunset. The day has no relationship to Hanukkah, but it happens to follow that festival by a week...
(Asara B'Tevet) - Seventeenth of Tamuz (Tzom Tamuz)
The fourth minor fast, observed on the day preceding Purim
Purim
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
, is the Fast of Esther
Fast of Esther
The Fast of Esther is a Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim...
, Ta'anit Esther, in commemoration of Esther and the Jewish community of Shushan having fasted before she approached the king unbidden.
Additionally, Jewish custom requires firstborn males to observe the day preceding Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
as the Fast of the Firstborn
Fast of the firstborn
Fast of the Firstborn ; is a unique fast day in Judaism which usually falls on the day before Passover...
, Ta'anit Bechorot. In modern times, however, this fast is rarely observed, as most firstborns opt to attend a siyum
Siyum
A siyum means the completion of any unit of Torah study, or book of the Mishnah or Talmud in Judaism. A siyum is usually followed by a celebratory meal, or seudat mitzvah, a meal in honor of a mitzvah, or commandment...
(festive meal celebrating the completion of a Tractate of the Talmud) instead. This is considered a legitimate form of "breaking" the fast, and therefore the firstborn may eat during the rest of the day.
Traditionally, special prayers called selichot
Selichot
Selichot or slichot are Jewish penitential poems and prayers, especially those said in the period leading up to the High Holidays, and on Fast Days...
are added in the morning prayer services on many of these days.
Break fast
A break fastBreak fast
A break-fast is the meal eaten after Jewish fast days such as Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av. During a Jewish fast, no food or drink is consumed, including bread and water. The major fasts last over 25 hours, from before sundown on the previous night until after sundown on the day of the fast...
(two words) is a meal that takes places following a fast
Fasting
Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time. An absolute fast is normally defined as abstinence from all food and liquid for a defined period, usually a single day , or several days. Other fasts may be only partially restrictive,...
. It is viewed as a festive meal. The tendency is to overeat after a fast, but this should be avoided. Since the digestive system slows down during fasting, heavy foods such as meat are liable to cause indigestion. Eating light, dairy foods in moderation is considered healthier.
External links
- How to break your fast. Describes the best foods to eat for a break fast.
- Yom Kippur break fast recipes