In this episode, Anthony Cullen and Rabbi Edelstein discuss the practice of fasting in each of their traditions, inspired by texts from the Bible, the Rule of St. Benedict, and Tanya Iggeret haTeshuva (The Tanya Letter on Repentance).

Fasting, it turns out, can be about a lot more than just not eating for a while...

Texts quoted in this episode:

Matthew 6:16-18:

• When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to others to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you. Treasure in Heaven.

The Rule of St. Benedict:

• Chapter 39 – “The proper amount of food for each day” sets norms for monastic fasting.
• Chapter 40 – Regulates wine (indicates moderation/abstinence).
• Chapter 41 – Discusses mealtimes during Lent and other fasting periods.
• Chapter 49 – “The Observance of Lent”: “The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent…Let each one deny himself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting.”

Tanya Iggeret haTeshuva, from chapter 2 (translated by R' Adin Steinsaltz):

• In general, the mystery of fasting is a wondrous remedy to manifest G-d’s supernal favor, similar to an offering, about which the Torah states, ‘A pleasing aroma to the LORD,’ and as it is written in Isaiah, ‘is this what you call a fast and a day of favor to the LORD?’” This teaches that the fast that is desired by G-d is a “day of favor".