Who Was Gedalia, and Would He Fast For Me?

Posted on September 25, 2025

By Hazzan Jacob Sandler.

In the name of Rabbi Jonathan Posner, in the name of Rabbi Abi Weber, in the name of Rabbi Danny Nevins, I recount to you the following story (joke):

Marty and Seymour are sitting on a park bench the day after Rosh HaShanah. Seymour pulls out a big sandwich, and Marty says, “Seymour! What are you doing?! It’s Tzom Gedalia!” Seymour turns to Marty and says, “Ya know Marty, I ask myself: Who was this Gedalia anyway? And would he have fasted for me?” While Marty was considering what to say in response, Seymour continued, “Besides, I don’t fast on Yom Kippur – so why would I fast on Tzom Gedalia?”

It’s a silly joke. And, precluding any health concerns, I do hope you all take the fast of Yom Kippur seriously in whatever way you are able. But I’ve often felt like Seymour. It’s the day after Rosh HaShanah, and I’ve worked my tuchus off hosting, cooking, davening, walking to and from shul — how could the rabbinic powers that be possibly insist on a calendar that places a fast day immediately after such an intense two days.

Another joke — perhaps this helps us reset after some hefty holiday meals? 

No, the fast of Gedalia would have to be deeper than some kind of misguided diet plan. As Seymour asked himself: Who was Gedalia anyway?

After the Babylonians destroyed the first Temple in Jerusalem, they showed just a little mercy to some Jews remaining in Judea. They allowed the Jews to stay and appointed a righteous Jew as their governor. That was Gedalia ben Achikam. Jews who had escaped to nearby places chose to return and join Gedalia’s contingent. Gedalia believed that cooperation and subservience to their Babylonian conquerors would yield the safest results for the Jews living under his governance. But not everyone felt that way.

I think, in today’s world of rising antisemitism, it’s actually quite understandable that some Jews still seek to be accepted by society around them by being “good Jews” according to the values of the time. Others most certainly, and also understandably, have learned not to trust the ruling powers of any given time or place to protect them when the going gets tough. They hold onto their Jewish pride and values, even when it may strain the relationships with those beyond the Jewish community. 

Though we ought to find in ourselves empathy for our fellow Jews who may respond differently to the realities at hand, we also should pride ourselves on how we hold disagreement with each other. Because the story of Gedalia continues.

One Jewish man, Ishmael ben Netania, who was deeply disturbed by Gedalia’s allegiance to the Babylonians and was jealous of Gedalia’s political power took it upon himself to stage a coup. He, along with 10 others, assassinated Gedalia and many other Jews and Babylonians who were with him at a communal meal. In the aftermath of this assassination, the Jews in Judea were afraid of the retaliation that may come. They consulted Jeremiah with a plan to flee to Egypt – where we are famously not supposed to return post-Exodus! Jeremiah appeals to God, and on Yom Kippur is answered that the Jews should stay, and all will be well. He warns the Jews that if they flee to Egypt, the Babylonians will eventually find them there.

Alas, they didn’t listen. They fled, and kidnapped Jeremiah to take him with them. And when Babylonians came to conquer Egypt, Jeremiah was the only one who survived.

The resonance of this story in our time is deep. Whether you were a fan of Charlie Kirk or vehemently disagreed with him, his assassination was without a doubt morally reprehensible. The aftermath of this sort of violence can only lead to more harm in the short term, before healing can come.  

So why do we mark the fast right after Rosh HaShanah? We know that it happened in Tishrei from the biblical sources, and that it had to be between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur based on Jeremiah’s appeal to HaShem. The Rabbis in the Talmud assign it to the 3rd of Tishrei. I assume they didn’t want to fast twice in the same 7-day period, nor take away from the joy of any of the holidays. 

But all these centuries later, why do we still observe this obscure fast day? Because Zechariah insists that it is still important when asked by those Jews who returned from the Babylonian exile centuries later. And the lessons we learn from this story are still very important today.

First, we learn that the death of a righteous person is as tragic (or more) than the destruction of the physical Temple building.

Second, we learn that destruction and violence only begets more destruction. The assassination of Gedalia ultimately led to the full exile of the Jews from Judea, whereas under his governance, some Jews remained in the land.

And third, we learn that in times of distress, we must be prudent and cautious with our actions, and we should look to God for guidance. Perhaps more importantly, when we turn to God for answers, we must be willing to accept those answers even if they don’t align with our initial thinking.

As for Seymour’s second question – would Gedalia fast for you? I’m inclined to say, yes. 

So for all those fasting, Tzom Kal – an easy fast. And for those just hearing about this for the first time: I hope today is given a little extra meaning, and another opportunity for reflection in these 10 days of Teshuva.