and Iyar—shortly following the Sukkot and Passover holidays. Shovavim Tat, 6 or 8 weeks of repentance when the first 6 or 8 liturgical readings from Exodus are read. Some fast every day (except Shabbat), some once or twice a week, either Monday and Thursday, Thursday only, or Friday only. Fast commemorating the Khmelnytsky massacres, held on 20 Sivan. Fast of Samuel: Held on 28th Iyar. Not widely observed. Fast of Moses on Seventh of Adar. A custom exists for a bride and groom to fast on the day of their wedding. It is observed by Ashkenazi and some Sephardi Jews. (This applies both to those who are marrying for the first time and to those who are remarrying.) They fast from daybreak until after the chuppah, eating their first meal during their yichud seclusion at the end of the ceremony. This custom is not recorded in the Talmud, and first appears in Sefer HaRokeach. Customarily, special prayers called selichot are added in the morning prayer services on many of these days. Breaking the fast A break fast is a meal that takes places following a fast. After Yom Kippur, it is viewed as a festive meal. To avoid indigestion, some choose to avoid heavy foods such as meat, observe a custom of eating light dairy foods in moderation. Other abstentions from food From the Gemara there is a prohibition against eating before Shacharit, the morning prayers, except for those who are ill or unable to concentrate. See also Sauma in Mandaeism References External links Peninei Halakha by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed