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Fast Days: Difference between revisions
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Standard spelling of Asara B'Tevet. (Some references spelled Asara with a lower-case A. Others spelled B'Tevet as "BeTevet" or "BiTevet" with varying capitalization.
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Stevenjklein (talk | contribs) m (Standard spelling of Asara B'Tevet. (Some references spelled Asara with a lower-case A. Others spelled B'Tevet as "BeTevet" or "BiTevet" with varying capitalization.) |
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All Jews fast on the four fast days mentioned by the prophets which are: [[Tzom Gedalya]] (the third of Tishrei), [[Asara | All Jews fast on the four fast days mentioned by the prophets which are: [[Tzom Gedalya]] (the third of Tishrei), [[Asara B'Tevet]] (tenth of Tevet), [[Shiva Asar BeTamuz]] (seventeenth of Tamuz), and [[Tisha BeAv]] (ninth of Av). <ref>The prophet Zechariyah (8:19) stated that in the future the fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth will become days of happiness for the Jews. In Gemara [[Rosh Hashana]] 18b, Rabbi Akiva explains that number in the pasuk refers to the number of the month. Thus, the fast of fourth is the ninth of Tamuz, the fifth is the ninth of Av, the seventh is the third of Tishrei (fast of Gedalyah), and tenth is tenth of Tevet. The Tur 549:1 and Rambam (Taniot 5:4) rule like Rabbi Akiva. Tur 549:2 explains that on the ninth of Tamuz the wall of Yerushalyim was broken by the first Bet HaMikdash, however, nowadays we fast on the seventeenth of Tamuz when the wall of Yerushalyim was broken by the second Bet HaMikdash. These four fasts are codified as halacha by the Rambam (Taniot 5:2-3), S”A 549:1, Mishna Brurah 549:1, and Yalkut Yosef (Moadim pg 527). </ref> The significance and background of these fasts are explained below. The first three are discussed in this article. For the other fasts please see the following links: [[Tisha BeAv]], [[Tanit Ester]], and [[Tanit Bechorim]]. Another related page is [[Commemoration of the Destruction of the Temple]] ([[Zecher LeChurban]]). The principle purpose of the fast days is to cause one to reflect upon one's ways in order to repent.<ref>Rambam Hilchot Taaniyot 5:1 </ref> | ||
==Tzom Gedalya== | ==Tzom Gedalya== | ||
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# [[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 Brurah 549:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:2 </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 Brurah 549:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:2 </ref> | ||
==Asara | ==Asara B'Tevet== | ||
# [[Asara | # [[Asara B'Tevet]] commemorates the tragedy of Nevuchadnezzar laying siege to Yerushalayim. <ref> Rambam (Taniyot 5:2), Mishna Brurah 549:2, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:3, Chazon Ovadia (Laws of the Four Fasts, Halacha 4)</ref> | ||
===On a Friday=== | ===On a Friday=== | ||
# Asara | # Asara B'Tevet is the only fast that can fall out on a Friday. <ref> Magen Avraham 550:4, Aruch Hashulchan 550:2, Mishna Brura 550:10 </ref> | ||
# Even if Asara | # Even if Asara B'Tevet falls out on a Friday one should fast until tzet hakovachim even though the fast would carry into [[shabbat]]. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 249:4, Yabea Omer 6:31. Aruch Hashulchan 549:2 quotes the Avudarham that even if Asara B'Tevet fell out on [[shabbat]], which can no longer happen because of the way the calendar is set (Magen Vraham 550:4-5), we would have to fast. Chatam Sofer in his sefer torat moshe on the torah pg. 346 explains that this is similar to the concept of fasting for a bad dream (taanit chalom), that every year on Asara bitevet we are judged if we will merit to see the beit hamikdash rebuilt. </ref> | ||
# It is permitted to recite [[Kabbalat Shabbat]] and [[Arvit]] earlier than usual so that people can begin [[kiddush]] at home at tzet hakochavim. <ref> Nitei Gavriel [[Chanuka]] 63:6: notes 9-10. In 63:7 he adds that some poskim are even more lenient with the time of tzet hakochavim than they usually are. Rama 249:4 quotes an opinion that if you pray early and finish [[Mariv/Arvit|Arvit]] before [[Tzet HaKochavim]] you should eat, but then says that nevertheless on a public fast one should fast until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] and on a private fast, eat after [[davening]]. </ref> | # It is permitted to recite [[Kabbalat Shabbat]] and [[Arvit]] earlier than usual so that people can begin [[kiddush]] at home at tzet hakochavim. <ref> Nitei Gavriel [[Chanuka]] 63:6: notes 9-10. In 63:7 he adds that some poskim are even more lenient with the time of tzet hakochavim than they usually are. Rama 249:4 quotes an opinion that if you pray early and finish [[Mariv/Arvit|Arvit]] before [[Tzet HaKochavim]] you should eat, but then says that nevertheless on a public fast one should fast until [[Tzet HaKochavim]] and on a private fast, eat after [[davening]]. </ref> | ||
# All the normal [[Shabbat]] preparations such as showering and [[shaving]] should be done normally, even for those who normally wouldn't shave or shower on a fast because of the kavod [[shabbat]] obligation. <ref> [http://torahmusings.com/2013/12/asara-btevet-when-on-a-friday/#fnref-19639-9 Rabbi Ari Enkin], Mishna Brura 550:6 and Baer Heitev 550:2 </ref> | # All the normal [[Shabbat]] preparations such as showering and [[shaving]] should be done normally, even for those who normally wouldn't shave or shower on a fast because of the kavod [[shabbat]] obligation. <ref> [http://torahmusings.com/2013/12/asara-btevet-when-on-a-friday/#fnref-19639-9 Rabbi Ari Enkin], Mishna Brura 550:6 and Baer Heitev 550:2 </ref> | ||
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# One should try to say [[mincha]] earlier on asara bitevet that falls out on a Friday. <ref> Minhagei Eretz Yisrael 27:28, Nitei Gavriel 62:3 says that it is not proper to pray mournful [[prayers]] while dressed in [[Shabbat]] clothing so one should [[prayer]] earlier. He adds in the name of the Dvar Yehoshua 3:63 it is also good to distance the mournful [[prayers]] as far as possible from the [[Shabbat]]. </ref> | # One should try to say [[mincha]] earlier on asara bitevet that falls out on a Friday. <ref> Minhagei Eretz Yisrael 27:28, Nitei Gavriel 62:3 says that it is not proper to pray mournful [[prayers]] while dressed in [[Shabbat]] clothing so one should [[prayer]] earlier. He adds in the name of the Dvar Yehoshua 3:63 it is also good to distance the mournful [[prayers]] as far as possible from the [[Shabbat]]. </ref> | ||
# Those who wear [[tefillin]] during [[mincha]] on a fast day, should recite [[mincha]] early on Friday so as not to have his [[tefillin]] on too close to [[Shabbat]] <ref> Nitei Gavriel [[Chanuka]] 62:4 </ref> | # Those who wear [[tefillin]] during [[mincha]] on a fast day, should recite [[mincha]] early on Friday so as not to have his [[tefillin]] on too close to [[Shabbat]] <ref> Nitei Gavriel [[Chanuka]] 62:4 </ref> | ||
# If [[Asara | # If [[Asara B'Tevet]] falls out to be on Friday one may taste the food if one spits it out and doesn’t swallow. <ref>Shemirat [[Shabbat]] KeHilchata 42:61 based on Shulchan Aruch 567:1, Mishna Brurah 567:6, Kaf Hachaim 567:10 </ref> | ||
==Shiva Asar BeTamuz== | ==Shiva Asar BeTamuz== | ||
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===Washing oneself and swimming=== | ===Washing oneself and swimming=== | ||
# A Baal Nefesh should be strict not to wash oneself in hot water or anoint oneself, however it’s permitted to wash with cold water or wash one’s hands, feet, and face with hot water. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 550:6, Shaar HaTziyun 550:8, Kaf Hachayim 550:13. Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 permits washing one's body with hot water, but adds that one who is strict is praiseworthy. Aruch Hashulchan 550:3 also says that technically it is permitted to use hot water, but the custom has developed not to except on erev [[shabbat]], but it is still permissible to use hot water. </ref> | # A Baal Nefesh should be strict not to wash oneself in hot water or anoint oneself, however it’s permitted to wash with cold water or wash one’s hands, feet, and face with hot water. <Ref> Mishna Brurah 550:6, Shaar HaTziyun 550:8, Kaf Hachayim 550:13. Yalkut Yosef Moadim page 530 permits washing one's body with hot water, but adds that one who is strict is praiseworthy. Aruch Hashulchan 550:3 also says that technically it is permitted to use hot water, but the custom has developed not to except on erev [[shabbat]], but it is still permissible to use hot water. </ref> | ||
## If [[Asara | ## If [[Asara B'Tevet]] falls out on Friday, one shouldn’t be strict and rather should wash oneself because of Kavod [[Shabbat]]. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 550:6 </ref> | ||
# One shouldn’t go swimming in a pool or ocean on a fast day. <Ref> Piskei Teshuvot 550:6, Rivevot Ephraim 1:363:1 and 3:368, Sh”t Bear Moshe 3:77, Rav Moshe Feinstein quoted in Moadei Yeshurun page 108. Nitei Gavriel page 34 allows children to swim. </ref> One is permitted to swim the night before a fast. <ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein quoted in Modanei Yeshurun 1:page 108 </ref> | # One shouldn’t go swimming in a pool or ocean on a fast day. <Ref> Piskei Teshuvot 550:6, Rivevot Ephraim 1:363:1 and 3:368, Sh”t Bear Moshe 3:77, Rav Moshe Feinstein quoted in Moadei Yeshurun page 108. Nitei Gavriel page 34 allows children to swim. </ref> One is permitted to swim the night before a fast. <ref> Rav Moshe Feinstein quoted in Modanei Yeshurun 1:page 108 </ref> | ||
===Brushing one’s Teeth=== | ===Brushing one’s Teeth=== | ||
