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The purpose of fasting is not to suffer, but according to Sacred Tradition to guard against gluttony and impure thoughts, deeds and words. [54] Fasting must always be accompanied by increased prayer and almsgiving (donating to a local charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances).
Because, according to the Hebrew Bible, hardship and calamitous circumstances can occur as a result of sin, [4] fasting is often undertaken by the community or by individuals to achieve atonement and avert catastrophe. [5] Most of the Talmud's Tractate Ta'anit ("Fast[s]") is dedicated to the protocol involved in declaring and observing fast days.
The Daniel Fast, in Christianity, is a partial fast, in which meat, dairy, alcohol, and other rich foods are avoided in favor of vegetables and water in order to be more sensitive to God. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] The fast is based on the lifelong kosher diet of the Jewish prophet Daniel in the biblical Book of Daniel and the three-week mourning fast ...
Fasting (verses 16–18) is Jesus' third example of 'pious deeds', [1] after almsgiving (verses 2–4) and prayer (verses 5–6). [2] The previous verse attacked how the hypocrites made a show of fasting and made everyone around them aware of their pious suffering. In this verse Jesus counsels his followers to hide any discomfort.
Fasting (verses 16–18) is Jesus' third example of 'pious deeds', [1] after previously discussing about almsgiving (verses 2–4) and prayer (verses 5–6). [2]The previous verse stated that, unlike the hypocrites, Jesus' followers should present a clean and normal appearance even when fasting.
Pseudo-Chrysostom: Forasmuch as that prayer which is offered in a humble spirit and contrite heart, shows a mind already strong and disciplined; whereas he who is sunk in self-indulgence cannot have a humble spirit and contrite heart; it is plain that without fasting prayer must be faint and feeble; therefore, when any would pray for any need in which they might be, they joined fasting with ...
Eastern Christians view fasting as one part of repentance and supporting a spiritual change of heart. Eastern Christians observe two major times of fasting, the "Great Fast" before Easter, and "Phillip's Fast" before the Nativity. The fast period before Christmas is called Philip's Fast because it begins after the feast day of St. Philip.
Fasting traditionally presaged a great spiritual struggle. [26] Elijah and Moses in the Old Testament fasted 40 days and nights, and thus Jesus doing the same invites comparison to these events. In Judaism, "the practice of fasting connected the body and its physical needs with less tangible values, such as self-denial and repentance."