The Top 10 Days of Fasting

1. Yom Kippur: The Torah actually never says to fast on this day, only to “afflict your soul.” 
2. 9th of Av: Commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem. 
3. 17th of Tammuz: Commemorates several tragic events, one of which was the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple. 
4. Fast of Gedaliah: Commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah, a righteous governor of Judah. This fast is the day after Rosh Hashanah. Just when you thought you had another week to prepare for the Yom Kippur fast, this one sneaks up on you! 
5. 10th of Tevet: Commemorates the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem that led to the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. 
6. Fast of the First Born: First born children are supposed to fast to commemorate not being subjected to the Tenth Plague that killed the first born Egyptians. 
7. Fast of Esther: Commemorates the fasting of the Jewish people so that Queen Esther had the courage to confront the king. 
8. 7th of Adar: Some Jews fast on this day, the day Moses died (he was also born on this day too). 
9. Wedding Day: There is a tradition for the bride and groom to fast the day of their wedding. The fast is broken with the first glass of wine during their wedding ceremony. 
10. Personal Fast Day: A person can fast any day for the purpose of a personal need or request.