What's a True Fast | Hebrew Readers

What's a True Fast?

Isaiah 58:3-12

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Ahayah?

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Ahayah shall be thy rereward.

9 Then shalt thou call, and Ahayah shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And Ahayah shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Shepherd of Hermas Parable 5

1[54]:1 As I was fasting and seated on a certain mountain, and giving thanks to AHAYAH for all that He had done unto me, I see the shepherd seated by me and saying; "Why hast thou come hither in the early morn?" "Because, Sir," say I, "I am keeping a station."

1[54]:2 "What," saith he, "is a station?" "I am fasting, Sir," say I. "And what," saith he, "is this fast [that ye are fasting]?" "As I was accustomed, Sir," say I, "so I fast." 1[54]:3 "Ye know not," saith he, "how to fast unto AHAYAH, neither is this a fast, this unprofitable fast which ye make unto Him." "wherefore, Sir," say I, "sayest thou this?" "I tell thee," saith he, "that this is not a fast, wherein ye think to fast; but I will teach thee what is a complete fast and acceptable to AHAYAH. Listen," saith he;

1[54]:4 "Alahayim desireth not such a vain fast; for by so fasting unto Alahayim thou shalt do nothing for righteousness. But fast thou [unto Alahayim] such a fast as this;

1[54]:5 do no wickedness in thy life, and serve AHAYAH with a pure heart; observe His commandments and walk in His ordinances, and let no evil desire rise up in thy heart; but believe Alahayim. Then, if thou shalt do these things, and fear Him, and control thyself from every evil deed, thou shalt live unto Alahayim; and if thou do these things, thou shalt accomplish a great fast, and one acceptable to Alahayim.

Shepard of Hermas Parable 5

2[55]:1 "Hear the parable which I shall tell thee relating to fasting.

2[55]:2 A certain man had an estate, and many slaves, and a portion of his estate he planted as a vineyard; and choosing out a certain slave who was trusty and wellpleasing (and) held in honor, he called him to him and saith unto him; "Take this vineyard [which I have planted], and fence it [till I come], but do nothing else to the vineyard. Now keep this my commandment, and thou shalt be free in my house." Then the master of the servant went away to travel abroad.

2[55]:3 When then he had gone away, the servant took and fenced the vineyard; and having finished the fencing of the vineyard, he noticed that the vineyard was full of weeds.

2[55]:4 So he reasoned within himself, saying, "This command of my Adọnọ I have carried out I will next dig this vineyard, and it shall be neater when it is digged; and when it hath no weeds it will yield more fruit, because not choked by the weeds." He took and digged the vineyard, and all the weeds that were in the vineyard he plucked up. And that vineyard became very neat and flourishing, when it had no weeds to choke it.

2[55]:5 After a time the master of the servant [and of the estate] came, and he went into the vineyard. And seeing the vineyard fenced neatly, and digged as well, and [all] the weeds plucked up, and the vines flourishing, he rejoiced [exceedingly] at what his servant had done.

2[55]:6 So he called his beloved son, who was his heir, and the friends who were his advisers, and told them what he had commanded his servant, and how much he had found done. And they rejoiced with the servant at the testimony which his master had borne to him.

2[55]:7 And he saith to them; "I promised this servant his freedom, if he should keep the commandment which I commanded him; but he kept my commandment and did a good work besides to my vineyard, and pleased me greatly. For this work therefore which he has done, I desire to make him joint-heir with my son, because, when the good thought struck him, he did not neglect it, but fulfilled it."

2[55]:8 In this purpose the son of the master agreed with him, that the servant should be made joint-heir with the son.

2[55]:9 After some few days, his master made a feast, and sent to him many dainties from the feast. But when the servant received [the dainties sent to him by the master], he took what was sufficient for him, and distributed the rest to his fellow servants.

2[55]:10 And his fellow-servants, when they received the dainties, rejoiced, and began to pray for him, that he might find greater favor with the master, because he had treated them so handsomely.

2[55]:11 All these things which had taken place his master heard, and again rejoiced greatly at his deed. So the master called together again his friends and his son, and announced to them the deed that he had done with regard to his dainties which he had received; and they still more approved of his resolve, that his servant should be made joint-heir with his son."

3[56]:1 I say, "Sir, I understand not these parables, neither can I apprehend them, unless thou explain them for me."

3[56]:2 "I will explain everything to thee," saith he; "and will show thee whatsoever things I shall speak with thee. Keep the commandments of AHAYAH, and thou shalt be well-pleasing to Alahayim, and shalt be enrolled among the number of them that keep His commandments.

3[56]:3 But if thou do any good thing outside the commandment of Alahayim, thou shalt win for thyself more exceeding glory, and shalt be more glorious in the sight of Alahayim than thou wouldest otherwise have been. If then, while thou keepest the commandments of Alahayim, thou add these services likewise, thou shalt rejoice, if thou observe them according to my commandment."

The Shepard of Hermas Parable 5

3[56]:4 I say to him, "Sir, whatsoever thou commandest me, I will keep it; for I know that thou art with me." "I will be with thee," saith he, "because thou hast so great zeal for doing good; yea, and I will be with all," saith he, "whosoever have such zeal as this.

3[56]:5 This fasting," saith he, "if the commandments of AHAYAH are kept, is very good. This then is the way, that thou shalt keep this fast which thou art about to observe].

3[56]:6 First of all, keep thyself from every evil word and every evil desire, and purify thy heart from all the vanities of this world. If thou keep these things, this fast shall be perfect for thee.

3[56]:7 And thus shalt thou do. Having fulfilled what is written, on that day on which thou fastest thou shalt taste nothing but bread and water; and from thy meats, which thou wouldest have eaten, thou shalt reckon up the amount of that day's expenditure, which thou wouldest have incurred, and shalt give it to a widow, or an orphan, or to one in want, and so shalt thou humble thy soul, that he that hath received from thy humiliation may satisfy his own soul, and may pray for thee to AHAYAH.

3[56]:8 If then thou shalt so accomplish this fast, as I have commanded thee, thy sacrifice shall be acceptable in the sight of Alahayim, and this fasting shall be recorded; and the service so performed is beautiful and joyous and acceptable to AHAYAH.

Now that we understand what is a true fast, let us take further admonition as to whom we shall do good unto in dealing out our bread. The book of Ecclesiasticus, which is also known as Sirach, gives clear admonitions.

Sir 12:1

When thou wilt doe good, know to who thou doest it, so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits.
Sir 12:2

Do good to the holy man, and thou shalt find a recompense, and if not from him, yet from the most high.
Sir 12:3

There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil: nor to him that giveth no almes.
Sir 12:4

Give to the holy man, and help not a sinner.
Sir 12:5

Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the unholy: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby. For thou shalt receive twice as much evil, for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.
Sir 12:6

For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the unholy, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.
Sir 12:7

Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.

It is confirmed that these admonitions are according to truth in the fact that Yache will reward those who do good unto his brethren, which are those that do the will of his Father. His brethren are of the Jews and Gentiles that obey the voice of Ahayah Alahayim.

Mat 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mat 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Adono, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Mat 25:42

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 25:43

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Mat 25:44

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Adono, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Mat 25:45

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Mat 25:46

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The apostles understood the truth as well in the fact that they exhorted on dealing amongst brethren.

Rom 12:13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

(the saint are Jews and Gentiles that have the testimony of Yache. Through the blood of Yache, the gentiles are fellow citezens with the Saints. {Eph 2:11-19} Job, the Gentile, is a Saint for example, because he has the testimony of Yache, which makes him a brother, just like the angels. {Rev 19:10})

The scriptures show a distinction between brethren oppose to men of the world, so we can better understand the precepts and amonition of Adono Yache.

1Co 5:9

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
1Co 5:10

Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

(We cannot avoid the unrighteous in this world, seeing as though we have to dwell in peace with all men, but there are laws pertaining to how we ought to operate with our brethren. )

1Co 5:11

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Now you can understand when the apostles talk about brothers and sisters, it is pertaining to people who are in the faith of Alahayim.

Jas 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

As is evident, the apostles were exhorting on doing well unto brothers and sisters in the faith, because then one will be doing alms unto Yache. There are also righteous examples of giving alms by righteous men like Tobit.

Tob 2:2

And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son, Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our brethren, who is mindful of Ahayah, and lo, I tarry for thee.

Notice, it wasn't about being an Israelite only, but he had to be mindful of Ahayah, a true Jew in the Spirit. {Rom 2:28-29}

Tob 4:15

Do that to no man which thou hatest: drink not wine to make thee drunken; neither let drunkenness go with thee in thy iourney.
Tob 4:16

Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked, and according to thine abundance give alms, and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.
Tob 4:17

Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked.

(It is more righteous to pour out your bread when a just man dies, that to give it unto a wicked man living. Tobit was a man known for giving alms and his book is a memorial of the reward of well doing, alms giving, faith, endurance, and deliverance from all troubles. We encourage all to read them.)

Also one can confirm these admonitions are according to the truth of the Gospel because Tobit answered the questions of James about what we should do if our brethren lack. Thus showing they both had the spirit of Meshiyacha in them to understand to whom thou shouldest do good.

Jas 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Tob 4:16

Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked, and according to thine abundance give alms, and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms.

Sirach also answered James question as well.

Sir 12:1

When thou wilt doe good, know to who thou doest it, so shalt thou be thanked for thy benefits.

(Yache will thank you as he testified in Matt 25:34-40})

Sir 12:2

Do good to the holy man, and thou shalt find a recompense, and if not from him, yet from the most high.

(Matthew 25 shows the recompense is the kingdom.)

Sir 12:3

There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil: nor to him that giveth no almes.

Sir 12:4

Give to the holy man, and help not a sinner.

Sir 12:5

Sir 12:6

For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the unholy, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.

Sir 12:7

Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.

Those that help sinners are not pleasing Ahayah.

Psa 50:16

But unto the wicked Alahayim saith, What hast thou to doe, to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy mouth?
Psa 50:17

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Psa 50:18

When thou sawest a thiefe, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

We must be at peace with all men, but we are not to partake in any man's sins.

I Tim 5:22

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

One has to walk circumspectly and be harmless as a dove, but wise as a serpent to make sure one does not offend anyone in righteousness, while ensuring not to transgress the commands of Ahayah.

Matthew 10:16

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Ephesians 5:15-16

5 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

If one has questions on how to better operate among others outside of the faith in righteousness to ensure one is keeping the law of Ahayah, while still maintaining peace with all men, please email us to further discuss.