Fasting is a voluntary abstinence from food, and sometimes drinks, for a set period of time. It has been a spiritual purification rite, practiced by many religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhist, Hindu, Baha'i, and Pagan. The religions practice the fasting rite to consolidate some religious teachings, including penitence, purification, mourning, sacrifice and enhancement of knowledge and powers. Prophets like Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Jesus resorted to fasting for the sake of spiritual purification, as means of communication with God. The Quran also indicates that fasting is a common religions practice. Philosophers, scientists and physicians of the past adopted fasting too, considering it as a healing process needed to improve the health where there was sickness. Scientists like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Galen, Paracelsus, and Hippocrates believed in fasting as a form of therapy. Fasting in Judaism The Jewish calendar contains comparatively few regular fast-days, as they observe ten days of repentance starting with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and ending with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The Jews consider this time to repent the sins of the previous year. Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is the day Jews believe that their fate will be sealed for the coming year, therefore they grieve the sins they committed in the past year and praying for forgiveness. Jews fast for 25 hours during Yom Kippur, starting from sundown on the previous evening until sundown the next night. The Jews fast by refraining from drinks and food. They also refrain from work, sexual relations, and even bathing. Also ointments and leather shoes, are prohibited. Yom Kipper fast begins with a special evening service known as Kol Nidre (All Vows), the synagogue services last the whole day until the fast ends. It is also customary among Jews to fast on the New Year's Eve of Rosh Hashanah. Besides Yom Kippur, and according to some scholars of the Talmud, there were four regular fast-days established by Jewish tradition which were obligatory only when the nation was under oppression, but not when there was peace for Israel. The Synagogue also empowered fasting in cases like pestilence, or famine. The Jewish people fast normally from sunrise till the appearance of the first star in the evening, except for Yom Kippur day that lasts for 25 hours. Jewish Encyclopedia says that giving of charity on a fast-day, specially the distribution of food, is necessary for the evening meal. Fasting in Christianity Jesus instructed his disciples to fast when he received the Sermon on the Mount. The Bible gives many reasons for fasting, as it is seen as an act of sacrifice that reminds Christians of God while the flesh is denied comfort, the spirit is strengthened, through fasting. The kind of fast prescribed by Jesus was already familiar to the Jewish community; it was a complete abstinence from food and drink. The bible spoke of putting oil on the head and washes the face with it so the tiredness of fasting may not be obvious to others. Today's fasting is not following the guidelines of Church. They avoid eating meat for few days; or in some cases, eat only one meal a day during the fast, and there is no ban on drinks either. This may be because the New Testament does not give any details as to how to fast. Lent, is a forty-day period of fasting and penitence, in emulation of Jesus Christ's example in his fast in the wilderness (deserts) of Judea. It is followed by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and certain other churches. The main component of Lent is the obligation of abstinence, for Christians older than 14 years old. The Roman Catholics abstinence means not eating meat in any form, but not including fish, there is also a concept of "partial abstinence", which means eating meat once per day. In the Bible, described fasting for forty days on three occasions, the first one was when Moses received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28). The next one was when Elijah encountered God before the anointing of Elisha (1 Kings 19:8). The final one was when Jesus was in the wilderness and tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:2). Fasting in Islam Fasting in Islam is an act of worship, whereas Muslims abandon food, drinks, and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset for a whole month, to draw closer to God. Fasting Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, who is adult, sane, and healthy. There are few cases in the Quran where people are not allowed to fast, which is sickness, being in a journey, the prescribed period; however these days should be made up later as stated by the Quran. There are other kinds of voluntary fasting in Islam, like fasting on Mondays and Thursdays of each week, fasting 3 days in the middle of the month, and fasting on special days like `Ashura' and `Arafah. Fasting for Muslims come with obligations like to abstain from lying, backbiting and arguing, as the Prophet Muhammad indicated: "Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses you or behaves ignorantly to you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting". The kind of self-restraint learnt from fasting is a way of strengthening the will of a person to lead a better and purer life in this world, which in return leads to an eternal life of happiness. Fasting in Hinduism Fasting in Hinduism is establishing a harmonious relationship between body and soul through the denial of physical body needs to be able to gain spiritually. Hindus believe that worshippers are advised to impose restraints on themselves to get their mind properly focused. Fasting is commonly practiced on New Moon days and during festivals such as Shivaratri, Saraswati Puja, and Durga Puja (also known as Navaratri). Women in North India fast on the day of Karva Chauth. Hinduism is obliged to fast from the age of eight to eighty, irrespective of caste, gender, or any material consideration, to make spiritual progress. Devotees fast during the day, pray overnight, and meditate observing Ekadasi, which is believed to destroy all sins and purify the mind. It is also prescribed on all Ekadasi days (a Sanskrit word refers to the 11th day of the lunar fortnight, comes twice a month), and prescribed by the Vedic scriptures to completely fast on that day. The ones who can't fast the whole day, they follow Ekadasi by eating once a day at midday, or eating once a day in the evening, but under no conditions should they eat grains on this day. Fasting for Hindus is seen as worship and a training of the mind and soul to endure all hardships under difficulties. Fasting in Buddhist Buddhists of all branches practice some periods of fasting on full-moon days and other holidays depending on the Buddhist tradition, it usually means abstaining from solid food, but they allow some liquids. Buddhists consider fasting as a method of purification. Some fast to free the mind like the two monks of Theravadin and Tendai. Some Tibetan Buddhist monks fast to aid yogic feats, like generating inner heat. Fasting in Baha'i The Baha'i fast takes place during Ala, the 19th month of the Baha'í year, from March 2-20. Bahai's abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, at the same time, focus on the love of God and spiritual matters. Pagan Pagans don't organized fast days, but some pagans choose to fast in preparation for Ostara (Spring Equinox). Pagans are very discrete about fasting, some totally abstain from food, and others reduce how much they eat. it is intended to purify a person energetically; often used to raise vibrational levels as preparation for magical work.
