The real goal of fasting

Hi,

We are taught that the major reward for fasting comes from giving tzedakah, and so some people give tzedakah on fast days based on the amount they would have spent on food for that day.

(Mishneh Berurah 566:12)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

Hi,

The fast of Asarah b’Tevet, the 10th day of Tevet, marks the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It led to the destruction of the First Beit haMikdash, and the exile of the Jews to Babylon.

Tomorrow [Sunday 12/23/12] is Asarah b'Tevet. As we are taught regarding every fast other than Yom Kippur, the main merit of the fast is in donating to charity the money we would have spent on food.

(Talmud, Berachot 6b; Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 549:1; Mishneh Berurah 549:2)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Illness on Tisha b'Av

Hi,

Must one who is ill fast on Tishah b'Av?

In a normal year, one who is ill is technically exempt from fasting on Tishah b'Av. Illness includes fever and stomach trouble, beyond minor aches and pains or the standard symptoms of fasting. However, the normal practice is to fast even if one is ill, unless one is experiencing extreme pain or facing danger.

In a year such as this, when Tishah b'Av is pushed from Shabbat to Sunday, one may refrain from fasting even if one's pain is not extreme.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 554:6; Shvus Yaakov 3:37; Aruch haShulchan 554:7; Biur Halachah 559 v'eino)

המצפה לישועה,
Mordechai

What the fast is really about

Hi,

"There are days when all Jews fast because of the troubles that have beset them on those days. The goal is to awaken the hearts, to open the paths of repentance...

"As we remember these things, we will return to do what is right, as it is written, 'And they shall admit their sins and the sins of their ancestors...'"

(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Fasts 5:1)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Fasting through different time zones

Hi,

One who travels by airplane on a fast day observes the fast based upon his current location, whether this lengthens or shortens the fast.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:96)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Fasting when a Torah falls

Hi,

The practice of fasting when a Sefer Torah falls to the ground is subject to significant debate. In practice, all who are present should fast, even if it fell due to circumstances beyond anyone's control.

There is room to be lenient if part of the Torah remains in one's hand, although it would be appropriate to fast.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Fasting on the day before a wedding

Hi,

If a wedding is held on the day following a fast day, the man and woman getting married are obligated to fast on the day of the wedding itself, despite their fast of the previous day.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 1:167)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tzedakah on a Fast Day

Hi,

We are taught that the major reward for fasting comes from giving tzedakah, and so some people give tzedakah on fast days based on the amount they would have spent on food for that day.

(Mishneh Berurah 566:12)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Fasting on Rosh Chodesh

Hi,

Because Rosh Chodesh is a day of celebration, one may not fast on that day. Some even suggest this is biblical, based on the biblical label of Rosh Chodesh as a מועד.

(Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 418:1; Aruch haShulchan Orach Chaim 418:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Letting people know one is fasting

Hi,

Ordinarily we say that one should not publicly display his acts of piety, due to concerns for arrogance. However, one is supposed to let other Jews know that he is fasting today, in order to encourage others to participate in the fast as well.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 565:6; Mishneh Berurah 565:14)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Fasting by pregnant and nursing women

Hi,

Regarding the fast of the Tenth of Tevet, which is observed this year on Tuesday, January 6th:

Pregnant and nursing women who are greatly pained by the fast should break their fast. These women are not obligated in the first place, although the practice is for them to attempt to fast to whatever extent they can.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 550:2)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

The Fast of the Tenth of Tevet

Hi,

The fast of Asarah b’Tevet, the 10th day of Tevet, marks the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It led to the destruction of the First Beit haMikdash, and the exile of the Jews to Babylon.

Tuesday January 6th is Asarah b'Tevet. Here in Allentown we fast from first light, at 6:13 AM, until the stars emerge at 5:33 PM.

As we are taught regarding every fast other than Yom Kippur, the main merit of the fast is in donating to charity the money we would have spent on food.

(Talmud, Berachot 6b; Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 549:1; Mishneh Berurah 549:2)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Fasting on Erev Rosh haShanah

Hi,

Some Jews customarily fast in repentance on the day before Rosh haShanah.

This is not observed in the manner of a normal fast, though; many people fast until midday (12:52 PM this year, in Allentown) and then break the fast. Here are two reasons why:

(a) In the Middle Ages this day frequently fell out on one of the Ember Days, which were fasts within the church, and there was concern lest the Jews appear to be keeping the Christian fast, and

(b) We generally don't fast on the eve of holidays, lest we then have difficulty enjoying the meal that night, and thus ruin the holiday.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 581:2; Mishneh Berurah 581:16, Hagahot Maymoniyot Hilchot Shofar 1:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Flaunting Fasting

Hello,

Sunday July 20 is the fast of Shivah Asar b'Tammuz, the 17th day of the month of Tammuz.

Ordinarily we say that one should not publicly display his acts of piety, lest that appear as arrogance. However, one is supposed to let other Jews know that he is fasting, in order to encourage others to participate in the national fast as well.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 565:6; Mishneh Berurah 565:14)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

Asarah b'Tevet - The Tenth of Tevet

Hi,

The fast of Asarah b’Tevet, the 10th day of Tevet, marks the beginning of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It led to the destruction of the First Beit haMikdash, and the exile of the Jews to Babylon.

Wednesday December 19th is Asarah b'Tevet. Here in Allentown we fast from first light, at 6:08 AM, until the stars emerge at 5:19 PM.

As we are taught regarding every fast other than Yom Kippur, the main merit of the fast is in donating to charity the money we would have spent on food.

(Talmud, Berachot 6b; Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 549:1; Mishneh Berurah 549:2)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai