Judaism, monotheistic religion developed among the ancient Hebrews. Judaism is characterized by a belief in one transcendent God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.

I chose to get the Hebrew word kavanah–meaning intention, focus, or purpose–tattooed on my left forearm. Additionally, it can also be understood as “direction of the heart”.

In religion Jewish tradition holds that the number 36 has had special significance since the beginning of time: According to the Midrash, the light created by God on the first day of creation shone for exactly 36 hours; it was replaced by the light of the Sun that was created on the Fourth Day.

Matthew and Luke narratives Elijah and Moses in the Old Testament fasted 40 days and nights, and thus Jesus doing the same invites comparison to these events.

Lent in the New Testament Mark tells us that Jesus was tempted by Satan, but it is in Matthew and Luke that the details of the temptation are fleshed out. All three accounts say that Jesus went without food for the 40 days. Christians, like adherents to many other religions, have long fasted.

The longest known fast was in 1971, when a 27-year-old man survived on water and supplements for 382 days and shrank from 456 to 180 pounds. In 1981, Irish republican prisoners refused food for more than two months before dying, but in 2010, a Florida woman on a water-only religious fast died within just 26 days.

However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal.

How to Fast Safely: 10 Helpful Tips

1. Keep Fasting Periods Short.
2. Eat a Small Amount on Fast Days.
3. Stay Hydrated.
4. Go for Walks or Meditate.
5. Don’t Break Fasts With a Feast.
6. Stop Fasting If You Feel Unwell.
7. Eat Enough Protein.
8. Eat Plenty of Whole Foods on Non-Fasting Days.

Try balancing each meal with a good variety of healthy whole foods, such as: Fruits: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, peaches, pears, etc. Veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, leafy greens, tomatoes, etc.

As with any eating regimen, it’s important to consume highly nutritious foods while intermittent fasting. Fruits and vegetables are typically packed with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients (plant nutrients) and fiber.

Some examples of foods rich in protein and suitable during fasting are eggs, seafood, soy, beans, legumes, fish and poultry meats, milk, yoghurt, and cheese. Carbs: they supply the body with energy and can be sourced from different classes of food, especially fibres, starches and sugars.

Watermelon comes in the category of hydrating foods that can prevent dehydration. It is low in calories and is perfect to be included in a weight loss diet.