The Fast of Gadaliah falls on the Third of Tishrei, the day after the second day of Rosh HaShanah. The day commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam, who was the last governor of Judea during the days of King Nebuchadnezzar. Gedaliah had been appointed governor in 586 BCE by the Babylonians. His assassination was intended to initiate the overthrow of Babylonian rule. It failed.
The Babylonians had become a major power in the middle east in the late seventh century BCE. King Nebuchadnezzar seized Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed. Many Jews were exiled to Babylonia. Some fled to neighboring lands. A small group of Jews remained in Judea. Gedaliah was appointed to be the governor of those Jews left in Jerusalem. He established his administration in Mitzpah, which was located north of Jerusalem. He held control over Judea and refugees who had fled to neighboring lands began to return to the Land.
Soon, however, the King of Ammon became jealous of Gedeliah's perceived power. The King authorized a group to assassinate Gedaliah. Gedaliah was killed by Yishmael ben Nesania, a fellow Jew. Gedaliah's murder resulted in the mass slaughter of many Jews who had come to mourn his death.
Gedaliah is referenced in 2 Kings 25:22~26 and Jeremiah 39:13~14; 40:1 ~ 41:18.
The fast is a "short fast", from sunrise to sundown. Readings from Exodus 32:14; 34:1~10 are read on this date. The Fast reminds us that the death of a righteous person is the same as the burning and destruction of the Temple.
If Rosh HaShanah begins on Thursday, the fast is postponed until Sunday because fast, other than Yom Kippur, are not permitted on Shabbat.
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