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A ta'anit or taanis (in Ashkenaz pronunciation) or taʿanith in Classical Hebrew is a fast in Judaism in which one abstains from all food and drink, including water. A Jewish fast may have one or more purposes, including:
- A tool for repentance
- An expression of mourning
- Supplication, such as the Fast of Esther or a Ta'anit Halom (fast over a disturbing dream).¹

Traditionally observant Jews fast six communal fasts throughout the year. These are:

• Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)
• Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of Av)
• The Fast of Gedaliah on the day after Rosh Hashana
• The 10th day of Tevet
• The 17th of Tammuz
• The Fast of Esther, which takes place immediately before Purim

^{1: Copied with permission from Wikipedia}