As Jewish teens, when we think of fasting, we tend to think about how hungry we get on Yom Kippur. But the Day of Atonement is only one of several fast days observed in the Jewish year. And we are not alone in this ritual – many other religious groups also fast on certain days or periods as part of their faith.

In addition, Jews, like other religious groups, give up certain foods at certain times as a symbol of remembrance. For example, during Passover, Jews give up foods with yeast in order to honor their ancestors who did not have time for bread to rise while exiting Egypt. Although this is the most literal interpretation of the reason for giving up bread in context to Passover, modern Jews use this fasting as a form of cleansing.

“Fasting during Passover gives me the opportunity to reflect on not only ancient Jews who exited Egypt, but also people in our current world who are suffering. It reminds me that not everyone is as fortunate as I am lucky enough to be, and that it is important to humble myself,” said Rachel Friedman, a sophomore at Parkway West High School. “I feel both spiritually and morally satisfied during Passover.”

Jews are not the only people who give up certain foods during a definitive period of time. Practicing Catholics observe Lent in preparation for Easter, the holiest day of the Christian year; Catholics have recognized the importance of preparing for that holy day by engaging in disciplines such as abstaining from the consumption of meat and abstaining from any food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

“People that have trouble with the following the rules aspect of it don’t have very strong faith,” said Collin Limp, a sophomore at St. Louis Priory School. “For me, whenever it gets hard to continue to resist using or doing whatever it is I gave up, I just think about how Jesus was killed in one of the worst possible ways so that I would be able to get into heaven.”

Perhaps the most intensive instance of religious fasting is in the Muslim faith. For a 29 to 30 day period known as Ramadan, Muslims refrain from indulgences such as food and any sinful acts from dawn to sunset. Muslims believe that fasting is a prescription given to them by God in which they fill their souls with peace and “cleanse” their bodies both physically and spiritually.

“I like Ramadan; to me it’s analogous to New Year’s because in that time we all cleanse ourselves from bad habits for a whole month, and at the end of the month we have a huge Eid celebration where Muslims around the world [must] break their fast,” explained Maryam Bouhraoua, a junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School,

Abstaining from food and sin for a month may seem challenging. Despite the challenge, Maryam finds it to be quite peaceful.

“I agree with the principle of fasting because it reminds me, as a Muslim believer, of my purpose in this life, and it ‘calms’ me from guilt and other negative feelings,” Maryam continued. “The reason why Ramadan is such a peaceful month is because all Muslims gather in the mosque and all stand together, in uniform lines. No one is ‘better’ than anyone else; we all stand equal before Allah as we pray in unison. It is like a unanimous uphold from any sinful actions.”

Fasting is vastly utilized in many religions, and it has several secular benefits. Besides aiding in the cleansing of toxins in the body and helping with weight loss, it can also be used as a source for reformation of the way one acts.

“Fasting teaches me self-restraint,” said Rachel. “I really do think that everyone should try fasting – of any kind – because it can be healing to both your body and mind.”