Fasting

My view on the subject is this... the point of fasting was so you could focus on God more. It wasn't that the fasting itself pleased God... I mean, you not eating does not like make you holier or something like that.

I do not think it is at all commanded. If it helps you focus on God more, that's fine, fast then =)

I for one would have a hard time fasting after one day. I'd get too hungry, lightheaded, and start fainting I can last a day, but after that, I'd be focusing on food

You don't need to DO things to show you love God. Love God, and obey His commandments. We aren't really told to do much else. =)

Then again, obeying His commandments isn't always too easy.

[edit] And I totally agree about the boasting issue ....

Actually I don't really disagree at all I don't think

I get cranky without food...just what God wants...a cranky servant

In all seriousness I have tried the different ways of fasting especially during the lenten season. I get horrible blood sugar headaches without food. I always drink water...the going without water fast scares me. I am not good at all at fasting...I have great respect for people that do fast though..it just is not my thing

Amie~

Hi all!

There are six fast days on the Jewish calendar, 2 'round the clock (dusk to nightfall) fasts & 4/5 1/2-day (first light-to-nightfall) fasts.

The two 'round the clock fasts are Yom Kippur (this year, it was from dusk on Sunday, Sept. 15 till nightfall on Monday, Sept. 16). Its observance is mandated by Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:27-32. Our Sages interpret the part about afflicting our souls as referring to fasting. Sex, bathing, wearing leather & jewelry, and using make-up are also out on YK. The fast is incumbent on boys over 13 & girls over 12. Given the way our calendar currently works, it is the only fast that can fall on the Sabbath (as it will in 2004). For an intro to YK, see http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm.

The other 'round the clock fast is the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av (was July 18 this year). It is the day of weeping & the "fast of the fifth [month]" referred to in Zechariah 7:3, 7:5 and 8:19. On the 9th of Av, we recall the destruction of the Temples. Our Sages say that the night referred to in Numbers 14:1 was the 9th of Av. Misled by the 10 spies, we despaired of entering the land of Israel & wailed and cried. Our Sages teach that God said, "You want to cry? Fine, today will be a day of weeping for you throughout your generations!" Like YK, sex, bathing, etc. are out on Tisha B'Av (as it's known in Hebrew). For an intro to the 9th of Av, see http://www.jewfaq.org/holidayd.htm.

We have 4 regular half-day fasts, three of which are linked to various events related to the destruction of the First Temple: The Fast of Gedaliah (was Sept. 9 this year; see II Kings 25:22-25), the Tenth of [the Hebrew month of] Tevet (will be Dec. 15 this year), and the 17th of [the Hebrew month of] Tammuz (was June 27 this year). They are the fasts of the seventh, tenth and the fourth months referred to in Zechariah 7:5 and 8:19. The fourth regular half-day fast is the Fast of Esther (was February 25 this year), which always comes the day before our festival of Purim. It recalls the three-day fast referred to in Esther 4:16. These fasts do not include the bans on sex, bathing, etc. For an intro to the minor fasts, see http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaye.htm.

People who are ill, pregnant or nursing mothers, etc. may be exempt from fasting in accordance with their doctors' instructions & specific guidance from their LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). Soldiers and police/fire personnel on active duty may be exempted from some or all strictures of the fasts depending on circumstances.

The actual fasting isn't so bad. I get my usual caffeine-withdrawal headache. Running after Da Boyz (2 and almost 6), who are full of bounce, while we're increasingly exhausted as the fasts wear on, is a challenge.

Questions?

Be well!

ssv

I think I would die if I fasted.

haven't fasted before. I might have but i usually can't remember .

There was time about two or three years ago that my husband and I were going through some hard times. We would argue for no reason. So one day I decided to fast for two weeks or until I felt the Lord heard my prayers. I fasted for 7 days. Nothing ,but a glass of milk (if that) once a day. Today My husband and I are better conected than ever before and believe it's because of prayer.

Originally posted by kitkatsnarepadpen
I think I would die if I fasted.

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Hey, is that you climing in the picture? Cool, I use to clime indoors many moons ago, but nothing like that.

I think fasting was instituted in the OT because in those times food preparation was far more time consuming and difficult than it is now. Not hard to hunt for dinner in the freezer. Back then a lot of time was spent in looking for an preparing meals, and fasting was a way of reserving more time for God and fellowship with Him. I am in no way demeaning fasting, but I think that it should be used more of a tool to get completely close to God when a serious issue arises. I personally have not fasted, I haven't felt compelled by God to do so. But if you can do it without adversely affecting your health and you feel God telling you to, then by all means, do so.

Besides, I don't think God would ask me to give up Dew......

Fasting is good, my one son is alive today because of me fasting the corrected way and call out to God in my darkest moments, God answered and healed my son.

Isaiah 58:9 Then shalt thou CALL, and the LORD SHALL ANSWER; thou SHALT CRY, and HE SHALL SAY, HERE AM I.

There has really only been one time that I have seriously fasted, and that was during the lenton period a few years back. I used that time to meditate on God, as my fasting brought Him immediately to mind every time I had to make the decision whether I was going to do what was right and finish the time of fasting, or whether I was going to crumble to outside influence. During that time, I gave up all sweets and deserts, very strictly. My family upbringing is what made that difficult, as I did not want to proclaim to everyone what I was doing for fear that it would be taken as boasting, so I was constantly plied with the same foods that I was trying to avoid. Sweet tooths run rampant in my family.

I have not fasted in some time, but I think that it is something that I must seriously contemplate. I have come to think that it may be what I need to kick my compulsive eating disorder. I want to again establish firmly that I put God above all else and that I do not let my food rule me.

Just a word to the wise though, before I leave. Each person should be very careful before ever deciding to fast and withhold water. Yes, a person can go a few days without food, but water is imperative and necessary for your health. Dehydration can cause serious illness and even death. For someone who wishes to fast for extended periods of time, I would not advise withholding food and water. It would be best to simply restrict food choices and portion amounts. And of course, I only say this with caring, and the deepest of love. I would hate to ever think that someone would hurt themselves in the quest to get back on track with their priorities.

And of course, I only say this with caring, and the deepest of love.

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I have noticed that all your posts are filled with love and caring. We know that God is love, so we can tell, by your posts that Jesus lives in your heart! Also there is a song that says something about, "They will know we are Christians by our love". We know you are a Christian.

Originally posted by altya
Fasting is good, my one son is alive today because of me fasting the corrected way and call out to God in my darkest moments, God answered and healed my son.

Isaiah 58:9 Then shalt thou CALL, and the LORD SHALL ANSWER; thou SHALT CRY, and HE SHALL SAY, HERE AM I.

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What an awesome promise in Isaiah 58:9! Where would I be without it!?

I've "fasted" a lot of times... although they weren't the traditional give up all food fasts, so I guess it wasn't true fasting. But for the first time last year, I gave up junk foods for about 40 days. Over the summer, I gave up certain television stations/websites, etc. for a week, I sometimes resist sweets for weeks at a time.... nothing serious, but they worked for me. After my first time, I felt clean. Over the summer, I felt closer to God. So I guess "mini fasting" can work for some people.