esh and
reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its
significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual
in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence
from selfish and carnal desires.

Fasting is enjoined on all the believers once they attain the age of 15
and until they reach the age of 70 years.

A summary of the detailed provisions concerning the law of fasting and of
the exemptions granted to certain categories of people is contained in the
Synopsis and Codification, section IV.B.1.-6. For a discussion of the
exemptions from fasting see notes 14, 20, 30 and 31.

The nineteen-day period of fasting coincides with the Baha'i month of
'Ala, usually 2-20 March, immediately after the termination of the
Intercalary Days (see notes 27 and 147), and is followed by the feast of
Naw-Ruz (see note 26).

26. and at its close have designated for you Naw-Ruz as a feast #16

The Bab introduced a new calendar, known now as the Badi or Baha'i
calendar (see notes 27 and 147). According to this calendar, a day is the
period from sunset to sunset. In the Bayan, the Bab ordained the month of
'Ala to be the month of fasting, decreed that the day of Naw-Ruz should
mark the termination of that period, and designated Naw-Ruz as the Day of
God. Baha'u'llah confirms the Badi calendar wherein Naw-Ruz is designated
as a feast.

Naw-Ruz is the first day of the new year. It coincides with the spring
equinox in the northern hemisphere, which usually occurs on 21 March.
Baha'u'llah explains that this feast day is to be celebrated on whatever
day the sun passes into the constellation of Aries (i.e. the vernal
equinox), even should this occur one minute before sunset (Q and A 35).
Hence Naw-Ruz could fall on 20, 21, or 22 March, depending on the time of
the equinox.

Baha'u'llah has left the details of many laws to be filled in by the
Universal House of Justice. Among these are a number of matters affecting
the Baha'i calendar. The Guardian has stated that the implementation,
worldwide, of the law concerning the timing of Naw-Ruz will require the
choice of a particular spot on earth which will serve as the standard for
the fixing of the time of the spring equinox. He also indicated that the
choice of this spot has been left to the decision of the Universal House
of Justice.

27. Let the days in excess of the months be placed before the month of
fasting. #16

The