Tanit Bechorot: Difference between revisions
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# In commemoration of the miracle that Hashem saved the firstborn Jews from the plague of the firstborn, the firstborns fast on Tanit Bechorot, which is on Erev [[Pesach]]. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:1, Kaf HaChaim 470:1, Tur 470:1. The original source for this fast is Masechet Sofrim 21:3. Kaf Hachayim 470:30 explains that even though the miracle happened on the fifteen we fast on the fourteenth because we don't fat on [[yom tov]]. </ref> | # In commemoration of the miracle that Hashem saved the firstborn Jews from the plague of the firstborn, the firstborns fast on Tanit Bechorot, which is on Erev [[Pesach]]. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:1, Kaf HaChaim 470:1, Tur 470:1. The original source for this fast is Masechet Sofrim 21:3. Kaf Hachayim 470:30 explains that even though the miracle happened on the fifteen we fast on the fourteenth because we don't fat on [[yom tov]]. </ref> | ||
==Which firstborns are obligated to fast?== | ==Which firstborns are obligated to fast?== | ||
# A firstborn of one’s mother or the firstborn of one’s father (or both) should fast on Erev [[Pesach]]. <Ref> | # A firstborn of one’s mother or the firstborn of one’s father (or both) should fast on Erev [[Pesach]].<Ref>Shulchan Aruch O.C. 470:1 </ref> The reason is that Hashem killed both the firstborns of the father and of the mother in Egypt. <ref>Mishna Brurah 470:2, Kaf Hachayim 470:2. </ref> | ||
# Even a Levi or Cohen should fast. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:2 </ref> | # Even a Levi or Cohen should fast.<Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:2 </ref> | ||
# A groom within 7 days of the wedding doesn’t have to fast on Tanit Bechorot. <Ref>Kovetz MeBet Levi (Nissan 5761 pg 86). Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer 1:25 says he should try to participate in a seudat mitzva. </ref> | # A groom within 7 days of the wedding doesn’t have to fast on Tanit Bechorot.<Ref>Kovetz MeBet Levi (Nissan 5761 pg 86). Rav Ovadia Yosef in Yabia Omer 1:25 says he should try to participate in a seudat mitzva. </ref> | ||
# A firstborn born through a caesarian section or firstborn after a miscarriage should also fast.<Ref>Guide to Practical Halacha (v. 5 p. 142 n. 4-5) quoting the Debrecener</ref> | |||
===Women=== | ===Women=== | ||
# The Ashkenazic minhag is that women don’t fast. <Ref>Rama 470:1, Mishna Brurah 470:4 </ref> This is also the Sephardic minhag.<ref> Although Shulchan Aruch O.C. 470:1 holds that women firstborns should fast Tanit Bechorot and Rav Ovadia Yosef in Sh”t Yechave Daat 3:25 and Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:42 upheld that minhag, nonetheless, in Chazon Ovadia Pesach p. 207-8 he concluded that it wasn't the minhag today. Rav Shlomo Amar in Haggadah Myamim Yamim agrees. Kaf HaChaim 470:17 quotes the Chida (Machazik Beracha 470:2) and Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Tzav) that the Sephardic minhag is to follow the Rama that women do not fast Tanit Bechorot. </ref> Even for those who the custom is for women to fast, if the woman is pregnant or nursing she shouldn't fast. <ref> Mishna Brurah 470:9, Kaf Hachayim 470:15 and 21. </ref> | # The Ashkenazic minhag is that women don’t fast. <Ref>Rama 470:1, Mishna Brurah 470:4 </ref> This is also the Sephardic minhag.<ref> Although Shulchan Aruch O.C. 470:1 holds that women firstborns should fast Tanit Bechorot and Rav Ovadia Yosef in Sh”t Yechave Daat 3:25 and Sh”t Yabia Omer 4:42 upheld that minhag, nonetheless, in Chazon Ovadia Pesach p. 207-8 he concluded that it wasn't the minhag today. Rav Shlomo Amar in Haggadah Myamim Yamim agrees. Kaf HaChaim 470:17 quotes the Chida (Machazik Beracha 470:2) and Ben Ish Chai (Parashat Tzav) that the Sephardic minhag is to follow the Rama that women do not fast Tanit Bechorot. </ref> Even for those who the custom is for women to fast, if the woman is pregnant or nursing she shouldn't fast. <ref> Mishna Brurah 470:9, Kaf Hachayim 470:15 and 21. </ref> | ||
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# A father should fast in place of his son who is a firstborn but is under [[Bar Mitzvah]]. According to the minhag to listen to a Siyum, the father should go to the Siyum in place of his son. <Ref>Rama 470:2, Piskei Teshuvot 470:6, Yalkut Yosef 470:19, Yosef Daat (Dinei [[Chinuch]] 16:3) </ref> | # A father should fast in place of his son who is a firstborn but is under [[Bar Mitzvah]]. According to the minhag to listen to a Siyum, the father should go to the Siyum in place of his son. <Ref>Rama 470:2, Piskei Teshuvot 470:6, Yalkut Yosef 470:19, Yosef Daat (Dinei [[Chinuch]] 16:3) </ref> | ||
# If the firstborn child isn't yet 30 days old the father doesn't have to fast or listen to a siyum but if it is possible to do so he should.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 470:19</ref> | # If the firstborn child isn't yet 30 days old the father doesn't have to fast or listen to a siyum but if it is possible to do so he should.<ref>Yalkut Yosef 470:19</ref> | ||
# The Rama writes that if the father is a firstborn, the mother should fast for her firstborn son who is under [[Bar Mitzvah]]. <ref>Rama 470:2</ref> However, the Mishna Brurah quotes some poskim who say that the father's fast counts for the son as well. Therefore, the Mishna Brurah allows a mother to be lenient if she is in pain. <ref> Mishna Brurah 470:9 </ref> | # The Rama writes that if the father is a firstborn, the mother should fast for her firstborn son who is under [[Bar Mitzvah]].<ref>Rama 470:2</ref> However, the Mishna Brurah quotes some poskim who say that the father's fast counts for the son as well. Therefore, the Mishna Brurah allows a mother to be lenient if she is in pain. <ref> Mishna Brurah 470:9 </ref> | ||
# The Aruch HaShulchan writes that we no longer have the minhag that a parent should fast for a firstborn son who is under [[Bar Mitzvah]]. <ref>Aruch HaShulchan 470:4</ref> | # The Aruch HaShulchan writes that we no longer have the minhag that a parent should fast for a firstborn son who is under [[Bar Mitzvah]]. <ref>Aruch HaShulchan 470:4</ref> | ||
#If the father is a firstborn and also has a young son who is a firstborn, it is sufficient for the father to hear a siyum for both of them.<ref>[https://images.shulcloud.com/709/uploads/YoungIsraelofWoodmerePesachHalachaBooklet.pdf Rav Hershel Schachter (YIW Packet)] held that it is sufficient for the father to hear the siyum for himself since it is a stringency anyway for the son to have to hear the siyum. He said that is the minhag unlike the Nitai Gavriel 2:42:5 quoting the Beer Moshe who held that it is necessary for the father to listen to a siyum for himself and the mother to hear a siyum for herself.</ref> | |||
==Those who are unable to fast== | ==Those who are unable to fast== | ||
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# If someone will only be able to eat a very small amount because of the fast and won’t be able to fulfill the mitzvot of [[Matzah]] and 4 cups of wine, one shouldn’t fast. Nevertheless, it is preferable that he just have snacks and not a meal. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:2 </ref> | # If someone will only be able to eat a very small amount because of the fast and won’t be able to fulfill the mitzvot of [[Matzah]] and 4 cups of wine, one shouldn’t fast. Nevertheless, it is preferable that he just have snacks and not a meal. <Ref>Mishna Brurah 470:2 </ref> | ||
==Tanit Bechorim on Friday and Shabbat== | ==Tanit Bechorim on Friday and Shabbat== | ||
{{Tanit Bechorot on Shabbat}} | |||
# If Erev [[Pesach]] falls out on Friday, the fast should take place on that day. <ref>Mishna Brurah 470:5, Chazon Ovadyah [[Pesach]] pg 101 (5763 edition, pg 117) </ref> | # If Erev [[Pesach]] falls out on Friday, the fast should take place on that day. <ref>Mishna Brurah 470:5, Chazon Ovadyah [[Pesach]] pg 101 (5763 edition, pg 117) </ref> | ||
==Minhag to join a Siyum== | ==Minhag to join a Siyum== | ||
''See the [[Siyum Masechet]] page for more details'' | ''See the [[Siyum Masechet]] page for more details'' | ||
