Why Fast?

I haven't had anything to eat or drink in about 23 hours. I am lightheaded and a bit draggy, but I am not thinking too much about eating. Maybe a drink of water would help with the low energy, but I am sure I can go without food for a longer period of time. I am not fasting for my health but for my faith. Today is Tisha B'av, the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, and I am fasting to commemorate the tragedies that took place on this day throughout history.

When I was young, I used to crave certain foods on this fast day. I remember smelling candy wrappers to help stave off the hunger. Didn't work too well. My mom notoriously baked the most delicious cinnamon and chocolate ruggelach on this day, preparing for after the fast, and my I would get so angry at the torture she put us all through.

For me, fasting is a time to reflect. I am thinking about the magnitude of this day, but also the lessons that we can learn from the tragedies that took place. Since the tragedies were caused by baseless hatred, I am particularly cognizant as to how I speak about others, stopping myself from speaking behind people's backs many times today. I am trying hard to refrain from judging others, working on being open to how others think and act, no matter how different they are from me.

Fasting is a cleansing. I think it is important to do things differently than we always do, to stop and take notice. Fasting helps me do that. There are many other ways to accomplish this in life.

How do you put the brakes on your life and slow down to reflect?