The day after Rosh Hashanah marks the Fast of Gedalia, one of the “minor fast days” in the Jewish calendar year. The fast begins in the early morning at dawn, and ends in the evening at dusk.
What is the meaning of this fast, and why does it occur during the intermediate days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?
After the destruction of the First Temple 2,500 years ago, the majority of the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. The conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar, eventually eased some of his harsh restrictions and allowed some Jews to remain in the Land of Israel. He even appointed a righteous Jew named Gedalia to administer the territory. Gradually, more Jews who'd escaped from the horrors of the war into neighboring countries began to return to their homes in Israel.
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Keywords: Gedalia, Gedaliah, Babylonian captivity, Egypt, Murder of Gedaliah, Gedaliah's murder, Gedaliah slain
Bible reference(s): 2 Kings 25:22-25, Jeremiah 38:1, Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 40, Jeremiah 41, Jeremiah 43:6
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.