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Taanit Bechorot ‐ Are you Fasting and Feeling the FOMO? ‐ Nathan Plumb

(11th Grade)

For years, first borns like myself have fasted on the fourteenth of Nissan, the day before Pesach. We do this in
order to commemorate the miracle of the Jewish firstborn children being saved from G-d in the Makat Becho-
rot, while the Egyptian firstborn were killed. Jewish firstborns therefore reaffirmed their belief in, and gratitude
towards G-d by creating a fast. Thus the Fast of the Firstborn was born.

But what about everyone else? What are they doing during this fast? While the firstborns are fasting, the rest of
the Jewish community is getting energized about the upcoming holiday in order to fulfill the mitzvah to enter
the holiday filled with joy and happiness. So what about me? I am a firstborn and I have to fast. What if that in-
hibits me from a joyful mood? Well fear not, for our wise Sages came up with an answer. Due to the fact that
the Taanit Bechorot (fast of the firstborn) was originally a custom, and it is not a communal fast, but an individ-
ual fast, most Rabbis rule leniently. Thus, firstborns are encouraged to take part in a simcha, such as a siyum, on
the morning of the fast in order to override their obligation to fast.

But what does all this fasting have to do with the rest of my life, let alone the life of someone who is not a
firstborn?! The answer is simple, yet beautiful. Life is a joyful experience, and we have to live our lives full of
happiness. Our wise Rabbis knew this, and intentionally made ways for us to find joy, even on the toughest of
days. This Pesach, try to make being joyful your mission! And for my fellow eldest children, chill. Don’t worry
about the FOMO. Just enjoy yourself, get ready for the holiday, and have a great Pesach!

The Fast of the First Born ‐ Sam Goldman (7th Grade)

Why do the first born sons have to fast on Erev Pesach? The fast of the firstborn is really supposed to happen on
the fifteenth of Nissan but since Pesach is on the fifteenth, the fast is on the fourteenth. The first born sons have
to fast on Erev Pesach to recall the miracle that they were saved when all the Egyptian first borns were killed.
There are multiple customs for this fast. Some say that every firstborn male and female must fast, and if there is
no first born, the oldest person should fast. When the first born is not old enough to fast, the father fasts for him.
If the fasting would interfere with the first born’s ability to do the mitzvos of the coming night, it is preferable
not to fast. We can learn from this that the Egyptian first borns were killed while Hashem redeemed the Jewish
firstborns. This is a tremendous miracle because none of the Jews were harmed, and this miracle is deserving to
be remembered forever.

Daniel Zonana—1st Grade