Every summer Jews around the world hold a fast. In most places, and Israel certainly being no exception, with regards to temperature, it is a hot time of the year. One of the nice things about Yom Kippur is that it is during the fall when the temperature has dropped to a moderate level. Yet, in the fifth Jewish month, the month of Av, the temperature is high and not eating and drinking becomes all the more difficult for those observing this fast. This is not something God commanded us to do. (Admittedly, God’s commandments are usually quite sensitive). So, why then do we do this?
The Scriptures do have something to say about this. The prophet Zechariah thus tells, “Again the word of Adonai-Tzva’ot came saying: ‘Thus says Adonai- Tzva’ot, “The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness and a cheerful moedim. Therefore, love truth and shalom!” (Zechariah 8:18-19). Ironically, the Scriptures don’t tell us specifically what these fasts were for, yet it does seem to indicate that they hold deep significance for God’s people.
Read the full article here: Issue 37