Fast of Gedaliah 2026: Why we fast, what happened, and everything you need to know simply

The article explains the meaning of the Fast of Gedaliah, observed on the 3rd of Tishrei, the day after Rosh Hashanah. It describes the story of Gedaliah ben Ahikam, who ruled over the remnant after the destruction of the First Temple and was murdered, leading to the flight of the remaining Jews from Egypt and the end of Jewish hold on the land. The article details the laws of the fast, its customs, and its connection to the Ten Days of Repentance.

The article provides a comprehensive and simplified explanation of the Fast of Gedaliah, observed tomorrow, the 3rd of Tishrei, immediately after the Rosh Hashanah holiday. It opens with the question of who Gedaliah ben Ahikam was, describing him as one appointed by the Babylonians to rule over the remaining Jewish remnant in the Land of Israel after the destruction of the First Temple. His murder, according to the account, caused the remaining Jews to flee to Egypt, thereby ending all Jewish hold on the land at that time. The article addresses why the fast does not fall on Rosh Hashanah itself, even though the murder allegedly occurred on that day, explaining that a fast cannot be set on a holiday. It then details the customs of the fast: prohibition of eating and drinking, recitation of special Selichot, and the broader connection to the Ten Days of Repentance. It mentions unique prayer additions for this period, such as 'Avinu Malkeinu', and the custom of the Baal Shem Tov to recite daily Psalms, noting the specific chapters assigned to the fast day (94, 95, 96).