Fast Days: Difference between revisions

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>