תענית בכורות
Fast of the Firstborn
The Fast of the Firstborn is observed on the day before Passover by firstborn males, commemorating the sparing of Israelite firstborns during the tenth plague.
When is Fast of the Firstborn 2026?
Observed on
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The fast is observed on the 14th of Nisan (Erev Pesach). Most firstborns attend a siyum to be exempted from fasting.
Significance
The Fast of the Firstborn expresses gratitude for the sparing of the Israelite firstborn during the tenth plague in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast of the Firstborn
The Fast of the Firstborn (Ta'anit Bechorot) is observed on the 14th of Nisan, the day before Passover. Firstborn males fast in gratitude that Jewish firstborns were spared during the tenth plague in Egypt, when the Egyptian firstborns died. If the 14th falls on Shabbat, the fast is moved to the preceding Thursday.
A siyum is a celebration held upon completing the study of a tractate of Talmud or another significant Torah text. It is customary to attend a siyum on the morning of Erev Pesach, which creates a seudat mitzvah (obligatory festive meal) that exempts firstborns from fasting. This widespread practice means most firstborns do not actually fast on this day.
About Fast of the Firstborn
Fast of the Firstborn (תענית בכורות) is one of the important holidays in the Jewish calendar. This page provides the dates for Fast of the Firstborn 2026 and information about its meaning and observance.