Easy Fast?

Fast? More like slow.

So what's the point. Tonight I heard a rabbi say that part of the point is to suffer. I've also heard that the point is not to suffer; hence the expression "have an easy fast" - or else we'd be saying "I hope you consume yourself from the inside in agony."

Both takes make sense to me, but here's one thing I've heard that makes the most:

No animal can be hungry, be in front of food and resist. Only humans can do this.* When we fast it is a reminder to ourselves that we are ultimately spiritual beings. That we animate, ultimately, for spiritual ends.

The first Temple's walls were breached on this day. But it wasn't just a building it was our spiritual hub. When we mourn its loss, we take the day to remind ourselves what we're here for. Hint: it ain't grub.

Sheepthroat: according to the Aruch HaShulchan, the purpose of the fast is 'to awaken the hearts and open the pathways of repentance, such that it will be a reminder of our evil deeds and the deeds of our forefathers, which were like our deeds now which caused them and us such troubles, and by remembering these things, we will return to good

He goes on to say that there is no prohibition on bathing in hot water on the 3 rabbinic fasts (besides Tisha b'Av); but that the custom is to not to, unless it's with cold water (which is only done to remove sweat or dirt, but not for enjoyment).

Sheepthroat: "So it would seem that we are supposed to be uncomfortable, in analogy to a true Public Fast (e.g. Tisha b'Av), but with some of the restrictions lifted because we accepted to fast on the 3 other fasts of our own volition.

Have an easy fast? Maybe not. With all the ambiguity and with this latter bit of clarity, my favorite well-wishing on this day remains "Have a meaningful fast."

Seems to cover it.

*Apparently, says Sheepthroat, the Mishna actually says that a dog can have food in front of it and not eat. Hopefully he'll be able to find the exact text. It seems to me, however in this case it's a survival mechanism - to hide the food from competing predators or scavengers. This mechanism is equally as base as feeding ones self immediately for survival. The point is - I can think of no scenario where an animal would not eat for some spiritual (animal-to-God relationship) or moral (animal-to-animal relationship) end.