Fast Jews
The 10th of Tevet, Jewish Fasting & Spiritual Accountability
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Why do Jews fast, and what is fasting actually supposed to do?
In this episode of edJEWcation, we dive into the 10th of Tevet, one of the lesser-known Jewish fast days, and use it as a gateway to explore the deeper meaning of Jewish fasting, repentance, and communal responsibility. The Rabbi walks us through the historical origins of the fast, the siege of Jerusalem that led to the destruction of the First Temple, while Jay asks the questions many people are thinking but rarely ask.
Along the way, we unpack:
What the 10th of Tevet commemorates and why it still matters
How Jewish fast days differ from Yom Kippur
Maimonides’ radical idea that tragedy demands introspection, not dismissal
Whether suffering is “random” or spiritually meaningful
How fasting connects to modern events, including October 7th
Why Judaism emphasizes action, mitzvot, and responsibility over asceticism
We also zoom out to the weekly Torah portion, exploring Jacob’s final words to his sons, leadership failures, anger vs. passion, and what it means to be accountable, not just historically, but right now.
This is not an episode about being hungry. It’s an episode about meaning, memory, and what Jews are supposed to do with history.
📖 Topics include: Jewish fasting, the 10th of Tevet, destruction of the Temple, repentance in Judaism, Rambam on suffering, Jewish theology, Torah commentary, and Jewish responses to tragedy.