For Your InfoRmatio\

Tzom Gedaliah

Who was Gedaliah, anyway,
and why this fast?

Elizabeth Applebaum
AppleTree Editor

N

o sooner is
Rosh
HaShana, with
its succulent honey and
apples and elegant
challas, completed —
then along comes the
Fast of Gedaliah.
This little-known fast
day is one of four that
begin at sunrise and
end at sundown (as
opposed to Yom Kippur
and Tisha b'Av, which
are 24-hour fasts). Held
this year on Monday,
Sept. 1 3, the holiday
commemorates the mur-
der of Gedaliah ben
Achikam, governor of
Israel in the time of
King Nebuchadne77ar
Breaking the Fast of Gedaliah ben Achikam,
of Babylonia.
which is held this year on Sept. 13.
Some might wonder
Although Gedaliah had been
why the death of one Jew so many
warned that he was a target for
years ago should deserve a fast day
murder, he, nonetheless, cordially
in our time. But in fact, one of the key
received all his guests, including
elements in this story is especially rele-
Yishmael
ben Netaniah. And
vant today: the loathing Jews can
indeed, Yishmael killed Gedaliah
have for one another.
—
but he did not work alone. It
Nebuchadne77ar was a vicious
was soon learned that a number of
king. He not only attacked and
other Jews had supported Yishmael
destroyed much of Israel (including the
in his deed.
sacred Temple sanctuary), he exiled
Gedaliah was a righteous man.
virtually the entire Jewish population
In their decision to institute a fast
there — except for d few, including
day
in his memory, the rabbis
the man he appointed governor,
said: "The death of the righteous
Gedaliah ben Achikam.
is likened to the burning of the
A rival king, who lived in Ammon,
house of God." So just as we fast
ordered the assassination of Gedali-
on
Tisha b'Av when we recall the
ah. And his hired hitman was an
destruction of the Temple, we fast
especially cruel choice. He sent
for Gedaliah.
Yishmael ben \etaniah, a Jew.

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Detroit Jewish News

1999

152