The United Synagogue

Fast of Gedalliah

A rabbinical fast that was created in memory of the assassination of Gedalliah Ben Achikam, the governor of Israel during the days of Nebuchadnetzar, King of Babylonia.

As a result of Gedalliah's death, many thousands of Jews were killed, and the remaining Jews were driven into final exile.

The fast is observed on the day immediately following Rosh Hashannah.

Why was Gedalliah assassinated?
When Nebuchadnetzar, King of Babylonia, destroyed the Temple's Holy Sanctuary in Jerusalem and exiled the Jewish people to Babylonia, he appointed Gedaliah Ben Achikam as their governor. Gedalliah was well respected by many of the Jewish people and this enticed many of the Jews from the neighboring lands to return to their homeland.

The King of Ammon was not pleased with Gedalliah's appointment. In his envy he sent a supposedly loyal and trusted Jew, Yishmael Ben Netaniah, to assassinate Gedalliah. Gedalliah had been warned of Yishmael's intent, but refused to believe the reports.

Yishmael murdered Gedaliah and the other Jews present at the meeting.The remaining Jews feared the wrath of the Babylonian King and immediately fled to Egypt.

The surviving Jews were therefore dispersed and the land remained in a state of desolation and waste. In remembrance of this tragic event our rabbis instituted this fast.

What are the customs of the Fast of Gedalliah?
The fast is observed from daybreak, until early evening when it gets dark.

If Rosh Hashannah occurs on Thursday and Friday, the fast is postponed until Sunday.

The chazan includes the prayer Anenu in the repetition of the Shacharit (Morning Service) Amidah. A torah scroll is withdrawn from the the ark, the Thirteen Divine Attributes are said and the Passages of Vayechal are read.