There is a custom observed by some people to fast on Erev Rosh Hashanah (which falls this coming Wed.). Although there are those who fast every month on the day before Rosh Hodesh – a fast called “Yom Kippur Katan” – the custom to fast on Erev Rosh Hashanah is mentioned by the Shulhan Aruch, and is thus to be treated with special gravity. The source for this custom is a passage in the Midrash, cited by the Tur, which draws an analogy to a country whose citizens owed an enormous sum of money in back taxes which they could not afford to pay. They decided to send a small delegation to the king, who agreed to cancel one-third of the debt. But as the day approached when the payment was due, the people realized that they still had nowhere near the amount. They therefore sent a much larger delegation to plead their case before the king. Once again, the king relented and waived another third. The day came, and the people still found themselves unable to pay. The entire citizenry – all the men, women and children – came out to greet the king with tears and pleas, and the king accepted their pleas and waived the entire debt. Similarly, the Midrash comments, on Erev Rosh Hashanah, as we realize that we are unable to “pay our debt” to the Almighty, select individuals volunteer to fast and plead to G-d, who waives one-third of our “debt.” During the 10 days of repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, as we get even closer, more people come before G-d in fasting to ask for a reprieve, and another third is cancelled. Finally, on Yom Kippur, we all fast and G-d grants us complete forgiveness. (Needless to say, those who are frail or elderly, and those who have trouble fasting, should not observe this fast, as it is not strictly required.)
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:36:42 +0000
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