Fast Days: Difference between revisions

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==Tzom Gedalya==
==Tzom Gedalya==
# Tzom Gedalya is observed on the 3rd of Tishri. <ref> Chazon Ovadia (Laws of the Four Fasts, Halacha 3) Shulchan Aruch 549:1. </ref>
# Tzom Gedalya is observed on the 3rd of Tishri. <ref> Chazon Ovadia (Laws of the Four Fasts, Halacha 3) Shulchan Aruch 549:1, Rambam Taaniyot 5:2. </ref>
# Tzom Gedalya commemorates the death of Gedalya Ben Achikam and the extinguishing of the spark of Yisrael causing the exile. <ref> Rambam (Taniyot 5:2), Chazon Ovadia (Laws of the Four Fasts, Halacha 3, Mishna Berura 549:2 </ref>
# Tzom Gedalya commemorates the death of Gedalya Ben Achikam and the extinguishing of the spark of Yisrael causing the exile. <ref> Rambam (Taniyot 5:2), Chazon Ovadia (Laws of the Four Fasts, Halacha 3, Mishna Berura 549:2 </ref>


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==Communal fast days==
==Communal fast days==
===Who Fasts===
===Who Fasts===
# Everybody is obligated to fasts on these public fast days. <ref> Yabia Omer 1:33 </ref>
# Everybody is obligated to fasts on these public fast days. <ref> S"A 550:1, Yabia Omer 1:33 </ref>
# Even rabbis or teachers whose fasting may cause their learning to be of lower quality should fast on these fast days including Taanit Esther. <ref> Yabia Omer 2:28:7 </ref>
# Even rabbis or teachers whose fasting may cause their learning to be of lower quality should fast on these fast days including Taanit Esther. <ref> Yabia Omer 2:28:7 </ref>
# A pregnant woman need not fast on these fasts except for Tisha B'av. <ref> Yechave Daat 1:35. Rav Ovadia Yosef says there that this begins from the end of the first trimester, unless she is having pains earlier. </ref>  
# A pregnant woman need not fast on these fasts except for Tisha B'av. <ref> Rama 550:1, Yechave Daat 1:35. Rav Ovadia Yosef says there that this begins from the end of the first trimester, unless she is having pains earlier. Mishna Berura 550:3 says that it starts 40 days into pregnancy unless she has an unusual amount of pain. The gemara in Pesachim 54b says that pregnant women and nursing women are required to fast on Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av, implying that they are not required to fast on the other fast days. Hagahot Maimoniot Taaniot 5:1 says that this is because the other fasts are optional in nature.</ref>  
# A nursing woman is exempt from fasting on the fasts except for Tisha B'av. Some say this includes a women who has finished nursing as long as she is within 2 years of the birth, and some say this only includes somebody who is actually nursing the baby. <ref> In Yechave Daat 1:35 concludes that if the woman feels sick she may eat, but if she feels like she can fast, she should fast. </ref>
# A nursing woman is exempt from fasting on the fasts except for Tisha B'av. Some say this includes a women who has finished nursing as long as she is within 2 years of the birth, and some say this only includes somebody who is actually nursing the baby. <ref> In Yechave Daat 1:35 concludes that if the woman feels sick she may eat, but if she feels like she can fast, she should fast. </ref>
# One who is sick, even if there is no danger of dying is exempt from fasting and shouldn't fast. <ref> Mishna Berura 550:4, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 531. </ref>
# One need not train his children to fast, even at the age of 12, but should limit what the child eats at least a little bit if the child is old enough to understand what we are mourning for. <ref> Mishna Berura 550:5 </ref>
===When does the fast start?===
===When does the fast start?===
# Communal fasts which do not start at night only begin at [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref>S"A 564:1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 529 </ref>
# Communal fasts which do not start at night only begin at [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref>S"A 564:1, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 529, gemara taanit 12a. </ref>
# If one went to sleep at night and wakes up before [[Olot HaShachar]] one may not eat unless one stipulated before going to sleep that one didn’t begin the fast and one would eat and drink before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <Ref> S”A 564:1 writes that if one doesn't go to sleep one may continue to eat until Olot HaSachar and if one went to sleep one may still eat if one made a stipulation that one will continue to eat after he wakes up before [[Olot HaShachar]] (according to the explanation of Mishna Brurah 564:4). Rama 564:1 comments that one doesn't need to make a stipulation for drinks. However, Mishna Brurah 564:6 writes that the achronim say it's preferable to make a stipulation for both foods and drinks. </ref> However, the Zohar is strict even such a case and one should only be lenient regarding drinks or if it's difficult to fast without eating before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref> Even though the S"A 564:1 makes no mention of the Zohar, the Mishna Brurah 564:28 and Yalkut Yosef (Tefilah, vol 1, pg 126, 89:43, and 550:3) quote the Zohar which is strict regarding eating after one slept before [[Olot HaShachar]], however, the Zohar isn't strict about drinking. Yalkut Yosef adds that if it's difficult for one to fast if one doesn't eat before [[Olot HaShachar]] one may do so (after stipulating before going to sleep). See Sh”t Yabea Omer 5:22(5), Piskei Teshuvot 564:1 and 89:21. </ref> If one didn't make a stipulation before going to sleep and one woke up before [[Olot HaShachar]], one is permitted to drink before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <reF> Mishna Berura 564:6 as well as Kaf HaChaim 564:10 both say that if you for some reason did not make this stipulation before you went to sleep and you woke up before dawn thirsty you are permitted to drink. </ref>
# If one went to sleep at night and wakes up before [[Olot HaShachar]] one may not eat unless one stipulated before going to sleep that one didn’t begin the fast and one would eat and drink before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <Ref> S”A 564:1 writes that if one doesn't go to sleep one may continue to eat until Olot HaSachar and if one went to sleep one may still eat if one made a stipulation that one will continue to eat after he wakes up before [[Olot HaShachar]] (according to the explanation of Mishna Brurah 564:4). This is based on the gemara taanit 12a which says that although the fast the fast begins at amud hashachar if one goes to sleep than the fast begins then. The Yerushalmi Taanit 1:4 allows for this stipulation before going to sleep that you intend to eat before amud hashachar. Rama 564:1 comments that one doesn't need to make a stipulation for drinks. However, Mishna Brurah 564:6 writes that the achronim say it's preferable to make a stipulation for both foods and drinks. </ref> However, the Zohar is strict even such a case and one should only be lenient regarding drinks or if it's difficult to fast without eating before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <ref> Even though the S"A 564:1 makes no mention of the Zohar, the Mishna Brurah 564:28 and Yalkut Yosef (Tefilah, vol 1, pg 126, 89:43, and 550:3) quote the Zohar which is strict regarding eating after one slept before [[Olot HaShachar]], however, the Zohar isn't strict about drinking. Yalkut Yosef adds that if it's difficult for one to fast if one doesn't eat before [[Olot HaShachar]] one may do so (after stipulating before going to sleep). See Sh”t Yabea Omer 5:22(5), Piskei Teshuvot 564:1 and 89:21. </ref> If one didn't make a stipulation before going to sleep and one woke up before [[Olot HaShachar]], one is permitted to drink before [[Olot HaShachar]]. <reF> Mishna Berura 564:6 as well as Kaf HaChaim 564:10 both say that if you for some reason did not make this stipulation before you went to sleep and you woke up before dawn thirsty you are permitted to drink. </ref>


===When does the fast end?===
===When does the fast end?===
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# The addition of aneinu is recited by the sephardim during [[Shacharit]] and [[Mincha]] <ref> Shulchan Aruch 565:3 because even if you don't end up finishing the fast because you get sick from fasting, it is still a public fast day. </ref> , and for the ashkenazim only in mincha. <ref> Rama 565:3  Mishna Berura 568:10 says that you should even say aneinu if you daven [[Mincha]] gedola because even if you end up eating you at least fasted until chatzot. </ref>
# The addition of aneinu is recited by the sephardim during [[Shacharit]] and [[Mincha]] <ref> Shulchan Aruch 565:3 because even if you don't end up finishing the fast because you get sick from fasting, it is still a public fast day. </ref> , and for the ashkenazim only in mincha. <ref> Rama 565:3  Mishna Berura 568:10 says that you should even say aneinu if you daven [[Mincha]] gedola because even if you end up eating you at least fasted until chatzot. </ref>
===Other Halachas of fast days===
===Other Halachas of fast days===
# On all of these rabbinic fasts besides for tisha b'av one is permitted to wash, anoint, wear leather, and have relations. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 </ref>
# On all of these rabbinic fasts besides for tisha b'av one is permitted to wash, anoint, wear leather, and have relations. <ref> S"A 550:2, Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530. This is unlike the Ramban in Torat HaAdam (Chavel edition, page 244) who says that all of these fast days last from sunset the night before, and all the activities that are forbidden on tisha b'av are forbidden on these as well. The Shla Taanit 43b says the only reason not everybody accepted this is because it is something that is too hard for all of the congregation to hold, but on a personal level each person should make an effort to refrain from this. Mishna Berura 550:6 quotes this as well but notes that one should continue to wear leather shoes so as not to publicize it too much. </ref>
# On the Shabbat prior to Asara Bitevet and Shiva Asar bitammuz, we announce the day of the fast prior to saying mussaf. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 </ref>
# On the Shabbat prior to Asara Bitevet and Shiva Asar bitammuz, we announce the day of the fast prior to saying mussaf. <ref> Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 </ref>
# A restaurant or store owner should preferabbly refrain from giving out food unless it is known that it is for sick people or for after the fast, and even if there are other places where people can access food. <ref> Yechave Daat 3:67 </ref>
# A restaurant or store owner should preferably refrain from giving out food unless it is known that it is for sick people or for after the fast, and even if there are other places where people can access food. <ref> Yechave Daat 3:67 </ref>
'''If one made a Bracha by accident'''
'''If one made a Bracha by accident'''
# According to Sephardim, if one made a Bracha by accident and then realized that it was a fast day, one should eat a very small amount just enough that one can taste it and continue on fasting. According to Ashkenazim, one shouldn't taste anything but just say Baruch Shem. <Ref>Birkei Yosef 568, Sh”t Yabea Omer Y”D 2:5(6), O”C 10:41, Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 550:26) however, Kaf HaChaim 568:16, Daat Torah (of the Maharsham) 568:1, Sh”t Mishneh Halachot 7:80, Sh”t Shevet Sofer O”C 25, [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=411#7a Peninei Halacha (Rabbi Elazar Melamed)], Halachos of Brachos (Rabbi Bodner, pg 207, note 39), and Piskei Teshuvot 568:2 rule that one shouldn’t eat it but rather say Baruch Shem. Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:329 writes that one should taste it, not swallow, and then spit it out. [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/printShiur.aspx/1762 Rav Mordechai Eliyahu] quotes the differing opinions and doesn't give a ruling. </ref>
# According to Sephardim, if one made a Bracha by accident and then realized that it was a fast day, one should eat a very small amount just enough that one can taste it and continue on fasting. According to Ashkenazim, one shouldn't taste anything but just say Baruch Shem. <Ref>Birkei Yosef 568, Sh”t Yabea Omer Y”D 2:5(6), O”C 10:41, Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur S”A 550:26) however, Kaf HaChaim 568:16, Daat Torah (of the Maharsham) 568:1, Sh”t Mishneh Halachot 7:80, Sh”t Shevet Sofer O”C 25, [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?id=411#7a Peninei Halacha (Rabbi Elazar Melamed)], Halachos of Brachos (Rabbi Bodner, pg 207, note 39), and Piskei Teshuvot 568:2 rule that one shouldn’t eat it but rather say Baruch Shem. Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:329 writes that one should taste it, not swallow, and then spit it out. [http://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/printShiur.aspx/1762 Rav Mordechai Eliyahu] quotes the differing opinions and doesn't give a ruling. </ref>