To:                heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
From:          Root & Branch Association, Ltd
Subject:       Fast Days/Commentary:  THE FAST OF THE 17TH OF TAMMUZ


Fast Days/Commentary:  THE FAST OF THE 17TH OF TAMMUZ

***

Excerpted from "The Cycle of the Jewish Year"
by Dr. Yaacov Vainstein
World Zionist Organization, 1980

Fasts which are widely known and observed today are those commemorating
events connected with the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple.

They are called by the prophet Zechariah "the fast of the fourth [month]
and the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the
tenth".  [Zechariah 8:19] [Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah 18b]

The fast of the fourth month occurs on the 17th of Tammuz and commemorates
the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem, which culminated in the
destruction of the second Temple by the Romans under Titus.  [Mishneh
Taanit 4:6]

The Mishnah in Taanit [4:8] records that five misfortunes [Babylonian
Talmud, Tractate Taanit 29a, Arachim 11b] befell our forefathers on the
17th of Tammuz:

1) The Tablets of the ten commandments were broken

2) The continuous daily offerings ceased owing to the scarcity of cattle
during the siege

3) The city walls of Jerusalem were breached

4) Apostomus, a Syrian general, burnt the scrolls of the Torah

5) An idol was set up in the Sanctuary


********************


Excerpted from "The Judaica Books of the Prophets/The Book of the Twelve
Prophets/Zechariah"
Edited by Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg
Judaica Press, 1988



ZECHARIAH 8:18: "And the word of the Lord of Hosts came to me, saying:"

THE RABBIS COMMENT: "Now G-d replies to the question regarding the fasts
[Ibn Ezra] -- If you comply with everything I commanded you, I will answer
your question concerning the fasts by telling you that you will not fast,
but you will rejoice with the abundance I will rain upon you" [Redak].


***


ZECHARIAH 8:19: So says the Lord of Hosts:  The fast of the fourth [month],
the fast of the fifth [month], the fast of the seventh [month], and the
fast of the tenth [month] shall be for the House of Judah for joy and
happiness and for happy birthdays -- but love truth and peace.

THE RABBIS COMMENT:

re. "the fast of the fourth [month]" -- The fast of Tammuz, which is the
fourth of the months [Rashi from Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah
18b].  This is the fast of the seventeenth of Tammuz, which commemorates
the breaching of the wall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians prior to the
destruction of the First Temple [Redak].

According to the Babylonian Talmud [Tractate Ta'anith 28b], the wall was
breached on the ninth of Tammuz, as described in Jeremiah 52:6.  The
present day fast of the seventeenth is in commemoration of the breaching of
the wall by the Romans prior to the destruction of the Second Temple.
According to the Palestinian Talmud (Tractate Ta'anith 4:5), however, the
wall was breached on the seventeenth of Tammuz at both times.  Jeremiah
states that the first breach took place on the ninth of Tammuz because this
was the time the people believed it had taken place; those in exile were
confused and erred in their computations.  [See Tosafoth Rosh Hashanah 18b].

re. "the fast of the fifth [month]" -- of Av [Rashi].  This is the ninth of
Av, when the Temple was burnt [Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah 18b].

re. "the fast of the seventh [month] -- The third of Tishri, when Gedaliah
was assassinated [Rashi from Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah
18b].  The Fast of Gedaliah is listed among the fasts that commemorate the
destruction of the temple to teach us that the death of the righteous is as
tragic as the burning of the Temple -- [Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh
Hashanah 18b].

re. "and the fast of the tenth [month] -- Of Teveth [Rashi from Babylonian
Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah 18b].  This commemorates the beginning of
the siege of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, as in Ezekiel 24:2 [Redak
from Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashanah 18b].

re. "shall be" -- Hebrew "yihiye", each one shall be [Redak].   This
accounts for the singular form.

re. "for the House of Judah" -- In the time of the Second Temple, when the
House of Israel [Lost Ten Tribes] had not yet returned from exile [Redak].
Mezudath David explains that this prophesy is for the future, when the
above fast days observed by the House of Judah will be joyous occasions for
Judah.  The House of Israel [Lost Ten Tribes], however, will have its own
festivals commemorating the days [the House of] Israel fasted and mourned.

re. "but love truth and peace" -- As long as you love truth and peace
[Mezudath David].


***


ZECHARIAH 8:20: So said the Lord of Hosts:  [There will] yet [be a time]
that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities shall come.

THE RABBIS COMMENT: re. "[There will] yet [be a time]" -- This refers to
the Messianic era -- [Redak].


***


ZECHARIAH 8:21: And the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying,
'Let us go to pray before the Lord and to entreat the Lord of Hosts.  I,
too, will go.'

THE RABBIS COMMENT:

re. "And the inhabitants of one" -- The inhabitants of one city shall say
to the inhabitants of another city -- [Redak]

re. "saying" -- And they will say to each other, 'Let us go to pray before
the Lord to beg forgiveness and to entreat Him to bestow His lovingkindness
upon us; for I, too, wish to go in your company.' -- [Mezudath David].
Malbim explains that the second inhabitant will reply, 'I, too, will go.'
He understands that the people will come to Jerusalem to learn the
fundamental beliefs about G-d.


***


ZECHARIAH 8:22: And many peoples and powerful nations shall come to entreat
the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.

THE RABBIS COMMENT: re. "And many peoples" -- This movement will grow until
many peoples will come to pray to G-d in Jerusalem and to seek the truth of
His existence.  This will take place before the redemption, when Israel
will still be despised by the gentiles; but Jerusalem will be exalted in
their eyes, and they will go there in multitudes to pray."  [Malbim]


***


ZECHARIAH 8:23 So said the Lord of Hosts:  In those days, when ten men of
all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the tzitzith [fringes
of the ritual garmet] of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we
have heard that G-d is with you."

THE RABBIS COMMENT:

re. "So said the Lord of Hosts, etc., when ten men, etc." -- This will take
place in those days when ten men of all the languages of the nations will
take hold of the skirt [tzitzith] of a Jewish man, etc. [Redak].

re. "ten men" -- from the seventy nations.  This equals seven hundred for
each corner [of the tzitzith].  For the four corners of the tallith there
will be two thousand and eight hundred [Rashi from Babylonian Talmud,
Tractate Shabbath 32b].  The Gemara interprets this literary expression to
mean that these ten men will become the servants of one who is scrupulous
in his observance of the precept of tzitzith.  Malbim explains that during
the Messianic era the non-Jews will no longer go to Jerusalem to discover
the true faith, but they will recognize that only Israel has the true faith
and they will learn the true faith from the Jews.  Abarbanel says not only
will they come to Jerusalem to seek G-d, but they will honor every Jew and
make him a dignitary; in so doing they will be acknowledging that G-d is
with Israel.

************************************************************************

From:          Peggy Jones
To:            heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject:       17th of Tammuz 9th of Av

Hello Eddie and my brothers and sisters,

The next few weeks are very important to us both historically and in
the future. Here are a few sites that give some information concerning
the historic happenings on the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av.

www.aish.edu/calendar/3weeks
www.virtual.co.il/city_services/holidays/3weeks
www.ohr.org.il/special/9av/timeline/htm

these are just a few of the sites that I found.

As God leads you through your walk you  experience emotions and
insights that you would have had if you had concidered the destination
before you started. God is GOOD!

I find myself with a heart and a need to recognize these dates. Pray
for the Peace of Jerusalem. always.

Maybe someone else in the group has other dates that correspond
There are some interesting correlation's concerning our benchmark days
here in the U.S that somehow fall on the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of
av.

In HIS peace
pj

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17th of TAMMUZ

 The 17th of Tammuz is a fast day commemorating the fall of
 Jerusalem, prior to the destruction of the Holy Temple. This also
 marks the beginning of a 3-week national period of mourning, leading
 up to Tisha B'Av.

 The 17th of Tammuz is the first of four fast days mentioned in the
 prophets. The purpose of a fast day is to awaken our sense of loss
 over the destroyed Temple - and the subsequent Jewish journey into
 exile.

 Agonizing over these events is meant to help us conquer those
 spiritual deficiencies which brought about these tragic events.
 Through the process of "Teshuva" - self-introspection and a
 commitment to improve - we have the power to transform tragedy.
 into joy. In fact, the Talmud says that after the future redemption
 of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple, these fast days will be
 re-dedicated as days of rejoicing and festivity. For as the prophet
 Zechariah says: the 17th of Tammuz will become a day of "joy to the
 House of Judah, and gladness and cheerful feasts."


 WHAT HAPPENED ON THE 17TH OF
 TAMMUZ?

 Five great catastrophes occurred in Jewish history on the 17th of
 Tammuz:

   1.Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai - in response to the
      sin of the Golden Calf.

   2.The daily offerings in the First Temple were suspended
      during the siege of Jerusalem, after the Kohanim could no
      longer obtain animals.

   3.Jerusalem's walls were breached, prior to the destruction of
      the Second Temple in 70 CE.

   4.Prior to the Great Revolt, the Roman general Apostamos
      burned a Torah scroll - setting a precedent for the
      horrifying burning of Jewish books throughout the centuries.

   5.An idolatrous image was placed in the Sanctuary of the Holy
      Temple - a brazen act of blasphemy and desecration.

 (Originally, the fast was observed on the Ninth of Tammuz since that
 was the day Jerusalem fell prior to the destruction of the First
 Temple in 586 BCE. However, after Jerusalem fell on the 17th of
 Tammuz - prior to the destruction of the Second Temple - the Sages
 decided upon a combined observance for both tragedies, the 17th of
 Tammuz.)


 HOW DO WE OBSERVE THE 17TH OF
 TAMMUZ?

   1.No eating or drinking is permitted from the break of dawn,
      until dusk.

   2.Pregnant and nursing women - and others whose health would
      be adversely affected - are exempted from the fast.

   3.Should the day coincide with Shabbat - as it does this year -
      the fast is delayed until Sunday.

   4.Bathing, anointing, and wearing leather shoes are all
      permissible.

   5.The "Aneinu" prayer is inserted into the Amidah of Shacharis
      and Mincha by the chazan. Individuals insert it in Mincha only.

   6.Slichos and "Avinu Malkeinu" are recited.

   7.Exodus 32:11, in which the "13 Attributes of Mercy" are
      mentioned, is read at both the morning and afternoon services.

   8.Isaiah 55, which discusses the renewal of the Temple service,
      is read as the Haftorah at the Mincha service.

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      +++  As practiced in Rabbinic Orthodox Judaism ++++


               TISHA B'AV -
             THE NINTH OF AV

      This year, Tisha B'Av falls out on Saturday, August 1.
      However, due to the honor of Shabbos, the fast is pushed off
      until Sunday, August 2. .



 WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NINTH OF
 AV?

 On Tisha B'Av, five national calamities occurred:

   1.During the time of Moses, Jews in the desert accepted the
      slanderous report of the 12 Spies, and the decree was issued
      forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE)

   2.The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by
      Nebechadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and
      millions more exiled. (586 BCE)

   3.The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by
      Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million
      were exiled. (70 CE)

   4.The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor
      Hadrian. The city of Betar - the Jews' last stand against the
      Romans - was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were
      slaughtered. (135 BCE)

   5.The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by
      the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a
      pagan city - renamed Aelia Capitolina - and access was
      forbidden to Jews.


 Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on the
 Ninth of Av, including:

   1.Pope Urban II declared the First Crusade. Tens of thousands
      of Jews were killed, and many Jewish communities
      obliterated.

   2.The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of
      Jews from Spain on Tisha B'Av in 1492.

   3.World War One broke out on Tisha B'Av in 1914 when Russia
      declared war on Germany. German resentment from the war
      set the stage for the Holocaust.

   4.On Tisha B'Av, deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw
      Ghetto.


 ASPECTS OF MOURNING: THE
 AFTERNOON BEFORE TISHA B'AV

 During the afternoon prior to Tisha B'Av, it is customary to eat a
 full meal in preparation for the fast.

 At the end of the afternoon, we eat the "Seudah Hamaf-sekes" - a meal
 consisting only of bread, water, and a hard-boiled egg.

 The egg has two symbols: The round shape reminds us of a sign of the
 cycle of life. Also, the egg is the only food which gets harder the
 more it is cooked - a symbol of the Jewish people's ability to
 withstand persecution.

 Food eaten at the "Seudah Hamaf-sekes" is dipped in ashes,
 symbolic of mourning. The meal should preferably be eaten alone,
 while seated on the ground in mourner's fashion.


 RESTRICTIONS ON TISHA B'AV

 Upon sundown, the laws of Tisha B'Av commence - consisting of
 the following expressions of mourning:

   1.No eating or drinking until nightfall the following evening.
        a.Pregnant and nursing women are also required to fast.

        b.A woman within 30 days after birth need not fast.

        c.Others who are old, weak, or ill should consult with a
           rabbi. (MB 554:11)

        d.Medicine may be taken on Tisha B'Av, preferably
           without water.

        e.In case of great discomfort, the mouth may be rinsed
           with water. Great care should be taken not to swallow
           anything. (MB 567:11)

   2.Other prohibitions include:

        a.Any bathing or washing, except for removing specific
           dirt - e.g. gook in the eyes. (OC 554:9, 11)
           - (Upon rising in the morning, before davening, or after
           using the bathroom, one washes only the fingers. See OC
           554:10, OC 613:3, MB 554:26)

        b.Anointing oneself for pleasure. (Deodorant is
           permitted.)

        c.Having marital relations.

        d.Wearing leather shoes. (Leather belts may be worn.)

        e.Learning Torah, since this is a joyful activity. It is
           permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and
           mourning - e.g. the Book of Lamentations, Book of Job,
           parts of Tractate Moed Katan, Gittin 56-58, Sanhedrin 104,
           Yerushalmi end of Ta'anis, and the Laws of Mourning.
           In-depth study should be avoided. (MB 554:4)

   3.Other mourning practices include:

        a.Sitting no higher than a foot
           off the ground. After midday,
           one may sit on a chair. (OC
           559:3)

        b.Not engaging in business
           or other distracting labors,
           unless it will result in a
           substantial loss. (OC
           554:24)

        c.Refraining from greeting
           others or offering gifts. (OC
           554:20)

        d.Avoiding idle chatter or leisure activities.

   4.Following Tisha B'Av, all normal activities may resumed,
      except for:

        a.Eating meat and wine - until midday of the 10th of Av.

        b.Haircuts, washing clothes and bathing - until midday of
           the 10th of Av.


 PRAYER ON TISHA B'AV

   1.Lights in the synagogue are dimmed, candles are lit, and the
      curtain is removed from the Ark. The chazan leads the prayers in
      a low, mournful voice. This reminds us of the Divine Presence
      which departed from the Holy Temple.

   2.The Book of Eicha (Lamentations), Jeremiah's poetic lament
      over the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, is read
      both at night and during the day.

   3.Following both the night and day service, special "Kinot"
      (elegies) are recited.

   4.In the morning, the Torah portion of Deuteronomy 4:25-40 is
      read, containing the prophecy regarding Israel's future iniquity
      and exile. This is followed by the Haftorah from Jeremiah (8:13,
      9:1-23) describing the desolation of Zion.

   5.In the afternoon, Exodus 32:11-14 is read. This is followed by
      the Haftorah from Isaiah 55-56.

   6.Since Tallis and Tefillin represent glory and decoration, they
      are not worn at Shacharis. Rather, they are worn at Mincha, as
      certain mourning restrictions are lifted.

   7.Birkat Kohanim is said only at Mincha, not at Shacharis.

   8.Prayers for comforting Zion and "Aneinu" are inserted into the
      Amidah prayer at Mincha.

   9.Before the fast is broken, it is customary to say Kiddush
      Lavana.


 WHEN TISHA B'AV FALLS ON SHABBOS
 When Tisha B'av falls on Shabbos, the following special conditions
 apply:

 1. The fast is pushed off until Saturday night/Sunday.

 2. All other prohibitions of Tisha B'Av (washing, learning Torah,
 leather shoes, etc.) are permitted on Shabbos itself, except for
 marital relations.

 3. Care should be taken to complete "Seudah Shlishis" before
 sundown.

 4. "Seudah Hamaf-sekes" may include meat and wine.

 5. Ma'ariv on Saturday night is delayed, so that everyone can say
 "Boruch Hamavdil bein kodesh li'chol," then remove their leather
 shoes and come to shul.

 6. Havdallah on Saturday night is recited only over a candle, without
 wine or spices. On Sunday night, Havdallah is then said over wine.

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