In the Jewish religious discipline, fasting is not a form of worship by itself, but a practice that can sometimes be performed independent of worship.
Fasting, which is also mentioned in the Tanach texts, is one of the methods to train one’s ego and to feel one’s nothingness when confronting the divine realms.
A Jew who has reached the age of responsibility for the implementation of religious commandments (12 years of age for girls and 13 years of age for boys) is deemed to be obliged to fast as mentioned above, unless he or she is considered as deficient in terms of mental and spiritual balance, or has a health disability or any disadvantages in this regard. If there is no other drawback, conditions such as pregnancy and menstrual period do not prevent fasting.
Fasting starts before sunrise and ends after sunset of the relevant day.
During fasting, no food is eaten or drunk, sexual relations as well as attitudes and behaviors that can be considered pleasure, enjoyment, and entertainment are avoided.
Apart from this, , social and individual fasts can be observed due to some exceptional events, and in some cases, fasts are also observed for a vow. However, it is not permissible to fast for more than one day in a row, and it is also not appropriate to engage in behavior that will endanger physical and mental health due to fasting.
