FW: Or Menorah - Shiva Asar B'Tamuz - the 17th of Tammuz Fast is Thursday

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From: "'Congregation Or Menorah - ormenorah@ormenorah.com' via Or Menorah" <OrMenorah@googlegroups.com>

Date: 7/7/20 5:49 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: OrMenorah Google Groups <ormenorah@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Or Menorah - Shiva Asar B'Tamuz - the 17th of Tammuz Fast is Thursday



Kehilat Or Menorah Rabbi Doug Zelden, Rav Dov Steinberg, President ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| The Fast Begins Thursday Morning On Shiva Adar B'Tamuz - the 17th of Tammuz five major tragedies befell the Jewish people:  1) Moshe broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments;  2) the Daily Sacrifices (Korban Tamid) were suspended;  3) the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem - leading up to the destruction of the second Temple;  4) Apostomus (a Roman general) burned the Torah; and 5) an idol was erected in the Temple.  The 17th day of Tammuz was designated as a fast day. It is also the beginning of the three week period of mourning for the destruction of our two holy Temples. "The Dri Vuchin"   The Taanit:  The fast begins 72 minutes before sunrise (4:12am) and continues until the end of the day (9:09 pm). Food and drink may be consumed any time during the night, as long as one has not gone to sleep "for the night" or if one made a t'nai (a condition) to wake up and eat before the start of the fast. Although it is permitted to bathe on a fast day, it has become customary not to take a hot shower or bath [Aruch haShulchan 550:3].   Medications prescribed may be taken on this fast day. If one has difficulty swallowing pills without water you may sip a small amount of water required to swallow the medicine [Rabbi S.Z. Auerbach].   There is a debate among authorities whether pregnant or nursing woman should fast on the 17th of Tammuz (and the other minor fast days). The Aruch HaShulchan (among others) exempted them from fasting on these days [Aruch HaShulchan 554:8; Halichot Beitah chapt. 25 note 3]   If by accident, a healthy person ate some food, the fast should be resumed and completed as normal [Mishna Berurah 549:3]. Mourning Restrictions During the Dri Vuchin: No weddings are held. (However, engagement ceremonies are permitted.) We do not listen to live music. We avoid all public celebrations -- especially those which involve dancing and live musical accompaniment. We avoid exciting and entertaining trips and activities. (Kaf HaChaim - OC 551:41) No haircuts and some avoid shaving too. (Fingernails may be clipped up until the week in which Tisha B'Av falls.) We do not say the blessing She-hechianu on new food or clothes,  except on Shabbat. ———— With the onset of the Three Weeks tomorrow - Wednesday night at sunset, and the fast of Shiva Asar b'Tamuz on Thursday, please see a number of halakhic guidelines below as they relate uniquely to this year: THREE WEEKS - Begins at sunset on  Wednesday, July 8th -While there was a heter for haircuts during the mourning period of Sefirat HaOmer, there is no heter during  the 3 Weeks; -This year, for anyone who feels they need to listen to music during this period in order to lift their spirits may do so, however this should not be dance music  or live / concert music.   -Background recorded music is permissible (e.g. while exercising or driving) FASTING ON SHIVA ASAR B'TAMUZ -Based on the psak of R' Reiss, anyone over age 60, or anyone who is immuno-compromised, should not fast unless they consult with their doctor to ensure that this is safe; -Anyone who feels generally weak or who finds fasting challenging, or who feels ill to the point where they are unable to function normally, e.g. a splitting headache or weakness to the point of having to lie down does not continue to fast, and there is no need to limit food and beverage intake as needed; -Pregnant and Nursing women do not fast; TEFILA People davening on their own do recite Selichot, yet may only recite the actual Yud Gimel Middot (i.e. from the words Vaayor Hashem al panav... until u'nechaltanu) if this is read with ta'amei ha'mikra ("trop"), otherwise it is skipped. For general halakhot and background  regarding The 3 Weeks, click here. To repeat: while a pandemic is a first in our own lifetime--may it be the last!-- epidemics are hardly unprecented in Jewish History. In each instance, communities sought guidance in terms of how to best fulfill mitzvot under the circumstances. In his Biur Halakha commentary to the Shulkhan Arukh (OC 594:6), the Chafetz Chaim cites the work Pitchei Olam regarding the observance of Tisha B'Av during a Cholera epidemic, including a general warning to stay at home if possible, and suggesting precautions for those who must venture outside in terms of protecting their nose and mouth. ~~~~~~~~~ www.ormenorah.com