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Tanit Bechorot: Difference between revisions
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==The reason for the fast== | ==The reason for the fast== | ||
# 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</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>S”A 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</ref> | # A firstborn of one’s mother or the firstborn of one’s father (or both) should fast on Erev Pesach. <Ref>S”A 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> | ||
# The minhag is that women don’t fast. <Ref>Rama 470:1, Mishna Brurah 470:4 </ref> However, Sephardic women who are firstborn should at least join in a Suedat Mitzvah in order to break the fast if possible. <Ref>S”A 470:1, Sh”t Yachava Daat 3:25, Sh”t Yabea Omer 4:42. However, see Kaf HaChaim 470:17 quotes Chida and Ben Ish Chai that the sephardic minhag is to follow Rama. </ref> | # The minhag is that women don’t fast. <Ref>Rama 470:1, Mishna Brurah 470:4 </ref> However, Sephardic women who are firstborn should at least join in a Suedat Mitzvah in order to break the fast if possible. <Ref>S”A 470:1, Sh”t Yachava Daat 3:25, Sh”t Yabea Omer 4:42. However, see Kaf HaChaim 470:17 quotes Chida and Ben Ish Chai that the sephardic minhag is to follow Rama. </ref> Even for those who the custom is for women to fast, if the women is pregnant or nursing she shouldn't fat. <ref> Mishna Berura 470:9, Kaf Hachayim 470:15 and 21. </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) </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 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, 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, Yosef Daat (Dinei Chinuch 16:3) </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> | ||
==Those who are unable to fast== | ==Those who are unable to fast== | ||
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# 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== | ||
# Many are lenient to join in a Siyum and to hear the end of the Maasechet and the Siyum and then join for the Seudat Mitzvah and break the fast the rest of the day. <ref>Mishna Brurah 470:10, Piskei Teshuvot 470:6, 8 based on Igrot Moshe 4:49, Maharsham 215, and Aruch HaShulchan 470:5</ref> | # Many are lenient to join in a Siyum and to hear the end of the Maasechet and the Siyum and then join for the Seudat Mitzvah and break the fast the rest of the day. <ref>Mishna Brurah 470:10, Piskei Teshuvot 470:6, 8 based on Igrot Moshe 4:49, Maharsham 215, Ben Ish Chai Tzav 25, Kaf Hachayim 470:10 and Aruch HaShulchan 470:5</ref> | ||
# Some say that it’s critical to understand the last piece of Gemara to join for the Siyum, however, the minhag is to be lenient in any circumstance. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 470:10 </ref> | # Some say that it’s critical to understand the last piece of Gemara to join for the Siyum, however, the minhag is to be lenient in any circumstance. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 470:10 </ref> | ||
# Preferably, after hearing the Siyum one should eat a KeBaytzah of Mezonot or bread as a meal for the Siyum. Some are lenient and allow one to break the fast after hearing a Siyum without eating there. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 470:11, Halichot Shlomo 8:1 </ref> | # Preferably, after hearing the Siyum one should eat a KeBaytzah of Mezonot or bread as a meal for the Siyum. Some are lenient and allow one to break the fast after hearing a Siyum without eating there. <Ref>Piskei Teshuvot 470:11, Halichot Shlomo 8:1 </ref> | ||
