Unlike Hanukkah and Purim whose authority solely rests on the Pharisees and 'Queen Esther', respectively, without any divine mandate (even though they are mentioned and observed in the Scriptures by Judahites), four minor Judahite observances appear to have been sanctioned by Yahweh on a temporary basis through a bona fide navi (prophet), Zecharaiah, to be celebrated by the House of Judah. These fasts are: 1. The Breach in Jerusalem's Walls (4th month) - 2 Ki.25:2-4; Jer.52:5-7; 2. The Destruction of the Temple (9th day of the 5th month) - 2 Ki.25:8-9; Jer.52:12-13; 3. The Murder of Gelaliah (7th month) - 2 Ki.25:22-26; and 4. The Siege of Jerusalem (10th month) - Ezek.33:21 or 2 Ki.25:1; Jer.39:1; 52:4. When certain Judeans asked Yahweh, "Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?" (Zech.7:3, NKJV) through the navi (prophet) Zechariah, Yahweh answered: "When you fasted and mourned ... during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me - for Me?" (Zech.7:5, NKJV). Yahweh showed that a real fast to Him would have been accompanied by Torah-obedience and that what was required was truthfulness, judgment, shalom (peace) and a sincere heart. Then, instead of fasting mournfully and looking back into the past, they would be able to exult and rejoice during the festival seasons with the blessings of restoration of true worship and ingathering of others to Yahweh's service (Zech.7:3-7; 8:16,18-19,23) These festivals were never enjoined on the (northern) House of Israel. Find out in the materials on this sub-site whether or not they have any place in Messianic Israel today.

Fasts of Mourning

1. The Four Minor Judahite Fasts (Art)

2. Hanukkah Revisited: In the Shadow of the Winter Gods (Art)

Also see Fasting

Click Here for a Table of NCAY Festivals and Current Dates

Key: Art=Article | FAQ=Frequently Asked Question | Sc=Science | St=Sermonette | Occ=Occult | OB=Olive Branch | PCM=Patriarchal Christian Marriage | NCCM=New Covenant Christian Ministries | Sab=Sabbath | Sal=Salvation | 5Com=Five Commissions | AI=Apostolic Interviews | HO=Holy Order