Is anyone fasting?

N

Napoleon

2,500+ Posts
I've fasted more times than not over the last 10 years or so as kind of a bonding thing with my dad. I kind of spaced at about 7:38pm, so I decided to make it an 8pm-8pm fast. I'll drink water for my health, but I'll pass on the chow. Maybe I'll take time for some introspective thought. I doubt I'll talk to each people I've wronged in the last year and ask for forgiveness, but who knows.
Anyone else skipping 3 meals of the next 24 hours?



I'll tell you, I'm breaking this puppy with a jamón y roquefort empanada or three from El Cuartito. Mmmmm, mmmmm.
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I've given up some little things for Lent but this time of year? On an educational note, why are you fasting?
 
This is for Yom Kippur, the Jewish "Day of Atonement," if I recall correctly. I believe it is the most solemn day of the year. Part of my family is Jewish, and some observe the traditions more closely than others, like those of other religions.
Some of the observances are comparable to Lent or Ramadan, the dietary proscriptions and such.
 
You are accurate. A bit dry with your explanation, but extremely accurate.

I come from a mixed family, we're not observant on either side, but occasionally a little tradition is nice.

Just as it is a slow day in Hollywood, I'm sure that trading is light on the stock exchange... the diamond trade has come to a halt, many people are getting their lawyers', doctors', dentists' secretaries today as well. Of course it's Monday, but you wouldn't think of having an art opening today, radio shows might be repeats, or have guest hosts/special guests, and many students will have substitute teachers today.

Oy caramba, my neighborhood in BsAs is pretty quite today as well.

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The anti-pork sentiment exhibited by some religions is strange. As if God cares if you eat pork. Yet another case of public health codes being labeled as "God's word".
 
Perham1,

There is a reason why pork was forbidden, just as shellfish and catfish were. These are animals that eat the excrement of other animals, and as such were considered unclean. The shellfish and catfish are the bottom-dwellers of the waters, and the bottom is where the excrement would end up.

Thankfully things have changed and I can enjoy my shrimp, ham, bacon and catfish fillets!
 
As I said, a public health edict that is attributed to "God's word".

But, evidently you're not aware of this, there is a group that claims this is not the reason at all: it's because God said so. We don't need to understand because we should just do what God says. This group does not take the "public health" option.

But if "public health" is a reason, then why attribute it to God?

The middle east has many backwards attitudes and beliefs. How that region ever became the source for our religion is beyond me. We should have adopted a Scandinavian religion as our own. I blame Paul.
 
I fasted the month of Ramadan (I am a Muslim). More than physical, it is a spiritual exercise in reorienting oneself to acknowledging and obeying God. One is supposed to refrain from even normally allowed items such as water/food/sex as a way to train one's self (ego, desires, etc.) to be in control of one's soul (spiritual self) rather than vice versa, and hence make it easier to lead an upright life.

Regarding pork, etc., one can always try to seek a justification to God's injunctions such as pigs being unhealthy. But this would lead to the conclusion (a rationalization at the human plane) that if I feed my pig clean grass and vegetables, I can eat it as it is no longer dirty. This is akin to "restating" a problem to our level of understanding, solving it, and claiming the original problem is solved.

A conviction in God (the word faith is reduced to a wishy-washy blind belief these days) means a certainty in oneself that God knows best and His (God is not masculine as we understand the earthly living things to be. Replace with "It" for probably a more accurate phrase, though our language and understanding is incapable to grasp the full essence, except what He has revealed about Himself to us) guidance is beyond a doubt the best thing for us. Of course, this requires reaching a conviction in the heart that there is a God, and also a given piece of guidance is undoubtfully from Him.

So, in short, I avoid pork not because the animal is dirty, but because my creator and sustainer knows what is best for me and my love and gratitude for Him should impel me to follow His orders/wishes.
 
Probably about the same reasons as yoga and mediation can be spiritual. A heightened sense of awareness and well being brought about by a calm and peaceful repose.

If you're trying to make an argument requiring the linking of religion and spirituality try elsewhere.
 
No, I was just asking.
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What you're talking about sounds more mental/emotional than spiritual to me, but since I have no claim to know how mind and body and soul interact or don't interact anyway, that might be just semantics.
 
Pardon my ignorance:

At what point are jews expected to fast?

Surely, infants/small children aren't expected to fast, are they?

Is this a post Bar/Bat Mitzvah thing?
 
BigWill-

I have no idea. That is something that Conservatives or Orthodox would likely know. There are three levels of activism/fanaticism/level of commitment in Judaism:

Othordox
Conservative
Reform

Reform is kind of like: This is your history... we thought you should know. At least that's what it was in the past when no one wore yamulkas (kipas?) to temple. That's changed a bit over the last 20 years in the USA. Now you can not only see little hats covering bald spots at a reformed temple's sabbath service, but those shall things as well.
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My dad has sad that he's read that rabbis say you shouldn't do anything that your doctor (almost always Jewish as well) advises against. i.e.: Drinking water to remain hydrated for older people. Eating a little food with your medication. Things like this. G-D doesn't want you to die just because you were fasting. (At least not the reform Jews.)

But at what age do they start?
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Unlike all of the full-blooded Jews I went to school with, as a half-breed I wasn't allowed to skip school. I also wasn't bitching about starving while in the lobby in the afternoon of the day part (about 21 hours in) wishing that I could have a pepperoni pizza.

I would think that for those who are going to fast, there is no question that once you've had your Bar Mitzvah, you're in the game. But I would think that it starts ~10 years of age.

REALITY OF FASTING:

It's really not that big of a deal (at least not the food part, maybe the water part is). Here's the routine:

1) Stuff your face so that you are absolutely full before sun goes down in the afternoon/evening.
2) Go to services stuffed and wanting to fall asleep.
3) Return home, don't eat dessert... but not a big deal.
4) Wake up and don't eat.
5) Go to morning services (if you've actually woken up in time)
6) Spend the afternoon at Temple talking with others.
7) Attend the afternoon services where they blow the shofar.
8) The sun goes down on the way home.
9) Get ready to go over to nana's to break the fast.

It much more difficult for the kids who get to skip school, but don't have to go to services, because they're so used to stuffing their faces while playing the X-Box... but then again, most of those kids don't fast.

I don't know how accurate this has been, because I'm not completely part of The Tribe.
 
I fail to see much difference in fasting for "spiritual" reasons, and fasting to observe Yom Kippur, Lent, or Ramadan. Aren't these all spiritual observances?
One is just personally defined, rather than the observance of a traditional religion.
 
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