Gedaliah Fast (Tzom Gedaliah) in Israel

• Day: The Gedaliah Fast, observed on the day after Rosh Hashanah, is a minor Jewish fast day. If the fast falls on Shabbat, it is postponed to Sunday.

• History: The fast commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, the Babylonian-appointed governor of Judah after the destruction of the First Temple (around 586 BCE). His murder by a fellow Jew marked the end of Jewish autonomy and led to further exiles.

• Traditions:

  • Fasting: Jews who observe this day abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk.
  • Prayers: Special selichot (penitential prayers) are added in the morning prayer service.
  • Torah Reading: A reading from the book of Jeremiah, which tells of Gedaliah's assassination, is included in synagogue services.

• What People Do:

  • Observant Jews attend synagogue for prayer services.
  • Individuals reflect on themes such as unity and avoiding baseless hatred, considering historical lessons from Gedaliah's death.