Abstract:
An exegetical analysis of Isaiah 58.1 to 14 which has as central theme the fasting, seeking to know who is Iahweh to this prophet. The first part discusses the origin of the fasting and practice to this day in Judaism. It is thought that the practice of fasting is present in the people of Israel, since before the entrance into the land of Canaan and has its origin in the Canaan funeral services, where the fasting were practiced in order to prevent the spirit of the dead to enter into the food. Different readings were made in each historical time. The Hebrew term "tsom" (fasting) comprises a set of rituals, for example, putting ashes on their heads, lying on sackcloth and ashes, animal sacrifices and prayers of lamentation. At the time of the conclusion of the first and second temple, fasting was done by people on the Day of Atonement, this is, the day the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to seek atonement for their sins and of the people. The significance of fasting is an act of self-humiliation of the person or community that recognizes its own guilt and wants to get some concession from Iahweh. Today this Day of Atonement is Yom Kippur, a day of atonement for sin in Judaism today, and day of fasting for excellence. The second part of the Hebrew translation tells us that the prophet puts in people s mouth a complaint: Why do we fast and you don t see? (Is 58. 3a). True fasting is a nice day to Iahweh and not a day of self-satisfaction like was happening among people who were very religious and they apparently sought the righteousness of Iahweh, but they practiced the rite of fasting void of commitment to the underprivileged and the transformation of society. True fasting that Iahweh wants and accepts is to untie the bonds of wickedness, to lose the cords of the yoke, to dismiss the crushed free, and to waste all yoke. At the level of interpersonal relationships is the breaking of bread; to come home the exiles, clothe the naked and not hide themselves from their own flesh. These practices are the requirements of the jubilee, which are the reasons of Iahweh's abundant blessings to those who practice. These blessings are presented with rich and abundant symbols: light, water and food. The text ends with a prescription on Saturday, a day for fasting as well. In the text, relevant issues emerge as the salvation of the long-awaited return from exile and so long to arrive, the guidelines of the proposed new community beyond the story and the inclusion of universal or cosmic worldview. In the last part some notes for our current practice of faith as the renewal of the social commitment with the poor and the transformation of unjust structures of society, a revision of the rites and liturgical gestures, preaching that recalls the eschatological and cosmic vision of the salvation.
