17th of Tammuz to 9th of Av.2239
17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’Av
Ref. 2239
BIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 28
INTRODUCTION: Blessing and Cursing
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.
Agonising 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 BC. 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 - 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.
As practised in Rabbinic Orthodox Judaism
TISHA B'AV - THE NINTH OF AV
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 ploughed 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. sleep 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 labours, 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 SHABBAT
When Tisha B'av falls on Shabbat, 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 Shabbat 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. Havdalah on Saturday night is recited only over a candle, without wine or spices. On Sunday night, havdalah is then said over wine.