The-Fasting-Study
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Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Tanakh versions:
Throughout this
site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication
Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded
details of the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im =
The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all
other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs,
Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations
of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected like it once was pre the now “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following two
truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, neither shall ye diminish from
it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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There are three Types of Fasting in the
Tanakh:
If you read the Tanakh, you will see that several people went on fast especially during difficult times. And, not all their fast where the same either. Daniel went on a partial fast, Esther went on a dry fast, and David went on ‘a water fast’.
The fast that Daniel underwent for 21 days to
gain an understanding of a vision he had about a terrifying war, was considered
a partial fast. He chose to abstain from all meat, wine, good food, and lotion.
However, he still ate except he just did not eat any good foods. אֱלֹהִים honoured Daniel’s fast and
gave him the understanding that he desired.
Esther’s dry fast consisted of not drinking
anything (water, juice, wine, etc.) and not eating any food as well. She fasted this way for three days to save herself and
her people from being unfairly killed. Her fast proved to be successful and
ultimately everyone’s lives were saved.
When David went on a fast to save his sick child it’s safe to say that he went on a water-only fast. Although the Tanakh doesn’t specifically say that he did a water fast, it does say that he ate no food for seven days. Whenever others fasted in the Tanakh, it clearly describes what they abstained from. And because it stated that he ate no food, but did not mention anything about water, then we can safely assume that he did a water fast. David’s fast consisted of only consuming water and no other liquids, and no food at all.
What Type of Fasting אֱלֹהִים Wants:
When we fast, we are required to abstain.
Abstaining can be done in several ways depending on which type of fast we
choose for ourselves. Daniel had success with a partial fast, King David with a
water fast, and Queen Esther with a dry fast. They were all successful fast,
although they were all different from each other. However, the one thing they
all had in common was: abstinence.
The type of fast that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) wants and that pleases Him is when we abstain and place our focus completely on Him. In Isaiah 58, אֱלֹהִים condemned His people because when they fasted, they abstained from food, but didn’t abstain from everything else. They still carried on with their lives, doing whatever they wanted. That is strange to say the least! To think that they can give up food but still engage in activities that אֱלֹהִים opposes and that goes against Him, yet still think they were fasting to please אֱלֹהִים, I am sorry but that is very wrong. אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה (the LORD Elohim) is Holy, blessed be His Sanctified Name, and He desires righteous living especially when we fast.
Fasting Scripture
Let’s use the Tanakh to
reference what type of fast אֱלֹהִים does not want. In
Isaiah 58:2-4, it reads:
“Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know
My ways; as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of
their אֱלֹהִים, they ask of Me righteous
ordinances, they delight to draw near unto אֱלֹהִים. ‘Wherefore
have we fasted, and Thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and
Thou takest no knowledge?’ Behold, in the day of your fast ye pursue your
business, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and
contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye fast not this day so
as to make your voice to be heard on high. Yet on the day of your fasting, you
do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarrelling
and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fist. You cannot fast as you
do today, and expect your voice to be heard on high”.
What must we not do
while Fasting
Don’t give in to your hunger or food cravings. You’ll have to start over and it will be much harder to restart your fast. When those desires kick in, just do not give into them! It is not worth it. It is best to drink a glass of water and occupy your mind with a Torah study, and prayer and praise. It will get easier and easier each day to resist the food cravings and hunger. Do not wager into your food cravings or hunger, breaking your fast will make you feel like you failed. Many have been there before. You set your mind to fast and abstain from certain things, and then you get a food craving. “I will restart the fast tomorrow.”
Don’t engage in your hobbies.
Fasting is not about pleasure or our
enjoyment. It’s meant to humble ourselves and engage with אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim instead of everything else that brings us fulfilment. When you take your
mind off אֱלֹהִים and prayer, and place it on
your hobbies you take away from the time that should go to the Almighty. אֱלֹהִים wants us to give up and
abstain from not only food, but the things that bring us pleasure as well. The
whole point of fasting is to abstain from things, to put אֱלֹהִים first, and connect with Him.
Don’t go against that by engaging in your hobbies.
Don’t
exercise.
Exercising can be tempting, especially if
you’re used to exercising regularly. Some people may want to exercise with the
goal to lose weight or tone their body, but that’s not a good idea. Your body
is running on a very limited energy reserve because of lack of food. What
little energy you have should go towards intimacy with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim because you’ll need
it. I guarantee that when you exercise, you’ll be so exhausted afterwards that
you’ll retreat to sleep and won’t have any energy left to focus on your fast.
Fasting isn’t a diet or weight loss program, so don’t treat it as one. Treat it
as it’s supposed to be treated: give up your comfort and enjoyment to connect
with אֱלֹהִים! And, trust me He sees your
sacrifice and He will honour it.
Don’t have conversations
that you don’t need to have.
It’s best to keep your conversations
limited and keep them focused on אֱלֹהִים. Of course, there will be
times when you’ll have to get things done at work, or in your household, that’s
understandable. But, when the conversations turn into meaningless
conversations, then it’s best to cut them off and remove yourself from the
environment.
Don’t argue or fight!
אֱלֹהִים makes his point very clear in Yeshayahu - Isaiah 58:3-4 when He condemned Israel for fighting whilst they “fasted.” It reads:
“Behold, in the day of your fast ye pursue
your business, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and
contention, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye fast not this day so
as to make your voice to be heard on high. Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you
please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and
in striking each other with wicked fist. You cannot fast as you do today, and expect your voice to be heard on
high”.
Fasting in the JPS-1917
Tanakh key verses and brief context:
Below is a curetted list of principal biblical passages that treat fasting (public or private, ritual or penitential). Each entry gives the citation, a one line description of the occasion or theological point, and a short contextual note suitable for study or teaching.
Exodus 34:28, Moshe - Moses fasted forty days and forty nights at Sinai while he was taking tablets, however אֱלֹהִים gave the second tablets; fasting here accompanies intense covenant encounter and intercession.
Leviticus 16:29-31, Yom Kippur command to afflict the soul.
The Day of Atonement requires the people to “afflict” their souls (understood as fasting) as a central public liturgical fast for national atonement.
Numbers 29:7 (related offerings for festivals); see also Numbers 10-29 for festival context.
While not prescribing general fasts, the Numbers festival lists help contrast appointed festival joy with the exceptional fast institutions elsewhere.
1 Samuel 7:6, National fast at Mizpah for repentance.
Israel fasts, confesses sin, and calls on YHVH; fasting here functions as corporate repentance leading to divine deliverance.
1 Samuel 14:24-46, (Saul’s rash oath leads to fasting and grief).
Fasting appears amid vows, hunger, and subsequent national trial, and shows fasting placed in crisis and covenantal accountability.
2 Samuel 12:16-23, David fasts for his child, then accepts אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s will.
David’s fast is an intense paternal plea; when the child dies, David moves from fasting to worshipful acceptance.
1 Kings 21:27-29, Ahab’s fast and sackcloth after prophetic rebuke.
Following Elijah’s judgment, Ahab humbles himself with fasting and repentance; אֱלֹהִים relents from immediate disaster.
Esther 4:16, Esther’s fast before approaching the king.
Esther asks all Jews in Susa too fast for three days prior to her petition; an example of communal fast for deliverance outside formal temple rites.
Ezra 8:21-23, Confession fast before a dangerous journey.
Ezra proclaims a fast at the river Ahava for protection on the return journey; shows fasting as dependence on אֱלֹהִים in perilous mission.
Nehemiah 1:4; Neh. 9:1-3 - Nehemiah’s mourning and national fasts.
Nehemiah fasts and prays over Jerusalem’s ruins; later convocations include public fasting, confession, and covenant renewal.
Jonah 3:5-10 - Nineveh’s fast and repentance.
The great Ninevite fast results in corporate repentance and divine mercy; an archetypal prophetic fast leading to reversal of judgment.
Psalm 35:13; Psalm 69:10 - Personal fasting in lament Psalms.
The psalmists describe fasting as accompaniment to grief, intercession, and self humiliation before אֱלֹהִים.
Isaiah 58:1-14 - Prophetic critique of empty fasts and vision of true fasting.
Isaiah contrasts ritual fasting that seeks self gain with the fasting אֱלֹהִים desires: acts of justice, release of burdens, and care for the oppressed.
Jeremiah 14:12; 36:6 - Fasts in times of national trial; prophetic contexts.
Jeremiah and his contemporaries witness fasts tied to drought, siege, and national calamity; prophetic perspectives vary on their effectiveness.
Joel 2:12-17 - Call to return with fasting and prayer before the Day of יְהוָה - the LORD.
Joel summons a national fast as part of repentance to avert or temper coming judgment.
Zechariah 7:3-7 - Question about mourning and fasts (four fasts):
Prophetic reinterpretation. The community asks whether to continue established fasts. Zechariah challenges the people to align fasting with justice and mercy.
Daniel 9:3; Daniel 10:2-3 - Daniel’s prayerful fasting for mercy and revelation.
Daniel combines fasting, sackcloth, and prayer in intercession for Israel and receives angelic revelation.
Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15 Calls to solemn assembly and fasts before יְהוָה (the LORD).
Fast and assembly are liturgical responses to plague/locust crisis; communal ritual to seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy.
Zephaniah 1:7, A Call to seek יְהוָה - the LORD, possibly with fasting before imminent judgment.
3. “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
4. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying: ‘Take the filthy garments from off him’. And unto him he said: ‘Behold, I cause thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with robes.’
5. And I said: ‘Let them set a fair mitre upon his head.’ So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments; and the angel of יְהוָה - the LORD stood by.
6. And the angel of יְהוָה forewarned Joshua, saying:
7. 'Thus saith צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts: If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, and wilt also judge My House, and wilt also keep My Courts, then I will give thee free access among these that stand by.
The text sets urgency for
seeking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; later tradition associates such seeking with penitential rites
including fasting.
Please Note: We
need to remember that fasting is generally prohibited on Shabbat (except on Yom
Kippur).
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Please Note:
“hebraicstudies” links and email address are located down the page!
In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the
Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular
line or statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you
feel about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are
doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are
upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?
Dear reader,
please remember this, pray for peace and solitude in your life, and then
work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you need any assistance, just ask, I help, and I can also send an email to you, special items to help you with whatever you may need! Just email me and I will send it to your email, There will no follow up’s whatsoever, or any requests from me, unless you wish further information, (use the email s further down this page).
This site was originally created, for those who
desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on
your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always
seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
For interest, as you may have discovered, this site has become very much a
teaching one!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following, via a number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and
I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of
hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember
...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
(the LORD your Eloheichem); walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your
Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be
His Sanctified Name,
He is
the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace
of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be
with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as
well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings)
before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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