The Third Day of Tishrei — The Fast of Gedaliah

After the destruction of the First Temple, Nebuchadnezzar appointed the righteous Gedaliah ben Ahikam as governor over the few Jews who remained in the Land.

Yishmael ben Netanyah, a descendant of the royal family, appointed himself as leader, and on Rosh Hashanah killed Gedaliah through treachery.

As a result, the thousands of Jews who remained fled to Egypt, thus completing the destruction and devastation of the Land.

Since people do not fast on a festival, the Sages established the fast immediately after Rosh Hashanah.

The purpose of the fast is to correct the sin of baseless hatred and to increase love for one another, in order to hasten the redemption.

One should not go on trips or participate in distant activities during the fast.

Laws of the Fast

A. It is forbidden to eat or drink from dawn until the emergence of the stars.

B. One may eat before dawn only if one stipulated this in advance before going to sleep. One who awakens unexpectedly without having made such a stipulation may not eat.

C. During the fast, only eating and drinking are prohibited. The other afflictions observed on other fasts do not apply, although some are stringent not to bathe.

D. One should not rinse one’s mouth or brush one’s teeth during the fast. In a situation involving discomfort, one may rinse with a small amount of water, taking care not to swallow it.

Who Is Exempt from the Fast?

1. A sick person, even without a life-threatening illness. A doctor should determine whether fasting will be harmful.

2. Elderly people who are weak and for whom fasting causes great distress.

3. Pregnant and nursing women. Some Ashkenazi women who are in good health are stringent in this regard when possible. 

For the purpose of this law, pregnancy is recognized only from the third month. Nevertheless, someone who suffers from nausea or feels unwell because of the fast is exempt, just like a sick person.

A woman less than thirty days after childbirth who suffers from weakness and is unable to nurse properly is also exempt. Some are stringent only when there is no real difficulty.

A nursing woman is defined as such for the entire 24 months following childbirth, even if she is not currently nursing.

4. Children below bar or bat mitzvah age. They are not required to fast even for part of the day.

Those who are exempt from fasting should eat only ordinary foods and should refrain from eating delicacies.

Have a meaningful fast and may we merit redemption very soon B"H!