All should rejoice together, hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may be demonstrated in the eyes of all (118:1)

As it is a blessed day it should not be neglected, nor deprived of results by making it a day devoted to the pursuit of mere pleasure (118:2)

During such days institutions should be founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people.. (118:3)

Today there is no result or fruit greater than guiding the people. Undoubtedly the friends of God, upon such a day, must leave tangible philanthropic or ideal traces that should reach all mankind and not pertain only to the Baha'is. In this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity without exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of God. Therefore, my hope is that the friends of God, every one of them, may become as the mercy of God to all mankind. (118:4)

The Feasts of Naw-Ruz (New Year) and Ridvan, the Anniversaries of the Birth of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, and of the Bab's Declaration (which is also the birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha) are the great joy-days of the year for Baha'is. In Persia they are celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at which music, the chanting of verses and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present. The intercalary days between the eighteenth and nineteenth months (that is, February 26 to March 1 inclusive) are specially devoted to hospitality to friends, the giving of presents, ministering to the poor and sick, et cetera. (118:5)

The anniversaries of the martyrdom of the Bab and the departure of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha are celebrated with solemnity by appropriate meetings and discourses, the chanting of prayers and Tablets. (118:6)

Fast
The nineteenth month, following immediately on the hospitality of the intercalary days, is the month of the fast. During nineteen days the fast is observed by abstaining from both food and drink from sunrise to sunset. As the month of the fast ends at the March equinox, the fast always falls in the same season, namely, spring in the Northern, and autumn in the Southern, Hemisphere; never in the extreme heart of summer nor in the extreme cold of winter, when hardship would be likely to result. At that season, moreover, the interval between sunrise and sunset is approximately the same all over the habitable portion of the globe, namely, from about 6AM to 6PM. The fast is not binding on children and invalids, on travelers, or on those who are too old or too weak (including women who are with child or have babes at the breast). (118:7)

There is much evidence to show that a periodical fast such as is enjoined by the Baha'i teachings is beneficial as a measure of physical hygiene, but just as the reality of the Baha'i fast does not lie in the consumption of physical food, but in the commemoration of God, which is our spiritual food, so the reality of the Baha'i fast does not consist in abstention from physical food, although that may help in the purification of the body, but in the abstention from the desires and lusts of the flesh, and in severance from all save God. 'Abdu'l-Baha says: (118:8)

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