Dear Rabbi Simon
I fast on Tzom Gedaliah but did not know about the fast erev Rosh Hashanah (even just to midday) and feel terribly. Is it still commonly practiced? An obligation for women? Several people I asked about it did not seem to know of it.
Many thanks,
Dalia
Dear Dalia
The Fast of Gedalya is a statutory fast, dating back to biblical times (see Zachariah 8:19)–although it has the status of a rabbinic, rather than a Torah law. (Yom Kippur is the only fast day mandated by the Torah itself.) Regarding the fast of erev Rosh HaShanah, however, the Shulkhan ‘Arukh (OH 581:2) states “it is customary to fast on erev Rosh HaShanah”. The classic sources indicate that this custom indeed extends to women (and girls above the age of 12) as well. Nevertheless, it would seem that nowadays, in common with other customary and voluntary fasts, the popularity of fasting on erev RH has waned and is no longer universally observed. Moreover, many who do fast (myself among them) do so only until midday. Some regard this as part of the build-up to Yom Kippur: Half-day, full-day, night+day.
My advice is that you do not reproach yourself about eating on past erev Rosh HaShanah. If you feel that you would like to fast this coming 29 Elul, you should do so until midday, with the stipulation that you are not accepting this as an obligation year by year.
May you we all be inscribed for a year of abundant blessing and achievement.
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon