How many days do Jewish people fast for?

Answer 1

The following list shows the seven fast days of the Jewish year, from the first fast of the year to the last:

1. Ta'anit Bechorot (14 Nisan in the Jewish calendar). This fast is only for firstborn males.
2. Tzom Tammuz (17th of Tammuz in the Jewish calendar). Dawn to dusk.
3. Tishah B'Av (The Ninth of Av). The Fast of Tishah B'Av is the second most important fast in Judaism (next to Yom Kippur, which is the most important fast day). Tisha B'av is from sunset till dusk the next evening.
4. Tzom Gedaliah - The fast right after Rosh Hashanah (on the 3rd of Tishrei). Dawn to dusk.
5. Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement (the 10th of Tishrei) is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It lasts from shortly before sunset until twilight the next evening. Unlike other fast days that are postponed if they fall on the Sabbath, Yom Kippur is not postponed.
6. Asarah B'Tevet - The 10th of Tevet. Dawn to dusk.
7. Ta'anit Esther - The Fast of Ester is observed on the 13th of Adar, the day before Purim. Dawn to dusk.

Other Fast Days Besides the seven traditional fast days that are universally recognized within the observant Jewish community worldwide, there are some optional fast days within Jewish tradition that may be noted.

• Ta'anit Tzaddikim - "Fast of the Righteous ones." These are fasts in memory of an outstanding person who demonstrated the life of faithfulness to God (i.e., yahrzeit fasts). Some of these fasts include:

1. The Fast of Miriam - 10th Nisan
2. The Fast of Aaron - 1st of Av
3. The Fast of Moses - 7th of Adar
4. The Fast of Joshua - 26th of Nisan
5. Fast of Samuel - 28th of Iyyar

• Ta'anit Tzibur - These are fasts instituted by a particular community in memory of a special deliverance (purim) or the death of a revered community leader.

• Ta'anit Yachid - "Personal fast" or "unique fast." This is a fast performed in private for the sake of a personal need or request (bakashah).

Answer 2

Jews have varies fast days scattered throughout the year. These minor holidays include fasting from sunrise to sunset, and are not universally observed. There are about 7 minor fast days.

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is a major fast day, which has a 25 hour fast from sunset to sunset. There are no fasts that last longer than 25 hours.

Answer 3

Jewish people generally fast on Yom Kippur, which lasts for one day.