Shiva Asar BeTammuz

Source and Reason

• On the 17th of Tammuz we fast, as mentioned in the Navi Zecharia – ‘צום הרביעי’, the ‘fast in the fourth month’ (technically speaking in times when Jews are not being oppressed, the fast has a status of a universally accepted and thus fully binding minhag, rather than a requirement from the Navi). 
• We do so due to the five tragedies that took place on this day:
  • Moshe broke the luchos,
  • The daily Korban Tamid was stopped in the lead up to the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash
  • The walls of Yerushalayim were breached in the lead up to the destruction of the second beis hamikdash (by the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash they were breached on the 9th of Tammuz, but we fast on the 17th as we consider the destruction of the second beis hamikdash to be more severe).
  • Apostemos burnt a Sefer Torah
  • And he placed an idol in the Beis Hamikdash. (SA 549:1-2, MB 1-2, SA 550:1, MB 1)

Purpose of Fast Days

• Purpose of Fast Days: The purpose of Fast Days such as Shiva Asar beTammuz is to encourage us to introspect and do teshuva by remembering the sins performed by our ancestors which led to these tragedies, and considering how we too may be perpetuating these actions and can improve. Indeed the act of fasting, obligatory as it is, is merely considered a ‘preparation’ for this self-reflection and teshuva, which should be our primary objectives.
• We see this from the book of Yona – it says about the people of Ninve that ‘Hashem saw their deeds’, and Chazal note that the Passuk emphasises them improving their actions, not the fast they undertook or the sackcloth they wore (MB 549:1).

Those Who Are Obligated and Exempt From Fasting

• All adults (girls from the age of bat mitzvah, boys from the age of bar mitzvah) are obligated to fast on Shiva Asar beTammuz. (SA 550:1, BH”L DH Hakol Chayavim)
• Those who are ill: However, those who are ill and considered to be a choleh she’ein bo sakana (if as a result of the illness they are bedbound or their whole body feels weak) are exempt from fasting and indeed should not do so. They are similarly exempt from fasting on Tisha Be’av, though where they can do so, they should fast the first few hours of Tisha B’av.  (MB 550:4-5, SA 328:17, SA 554:6, Dirshu 26)
• Pregnant and nursing women: Women who are pregnant or nursing and not considered ill by the definition above, are exempt from fasting if they are weak or suffering . However, they must fast on Tisha Be’av if they are not defined as a ‘choleh she’ein bo sakana’ per the above (SA 550:1, MB 3,5, SHT 3, SA 554:5).
• Women after childbirth: Women who have given birth in the last 30 days are generally assumed to still be somewhat weak and are exempt from fasting on Shiva Asar beTammuz and Tisha B’Av.
  • Where a woman feels that she has recovered and is capable of fasting she may be required to do so on Tisha b’Av, and even those who have not fully recovered may be recommended to fast the first few hours of Tisha B’av where they can. However, as per the below such women should consult with a Rav before doing so (SA 554:6, MB12).
• Those exempt from fasting should not eat tasty foods such as meat and wine, but rather basic foods as necessary for their or their baby’s wellbeing (SA 554:5, MB 550 SK3).
• It is advisable for all those who are unwell and women who are pregnant, nursing, who have recently given birth or have children under 2, to consult with their Rav to determine whether they should fast on Shiva Asar beTammuz, Tisha Be’av and other fast days as there can be many factors to weigh up, such as the risks from the hot summer weather, their general physical and mental wellbeing and whether fasting may bring on labour, or impact the supply of breast milk. Additionally, contemporary authorities debate whether we are assumed to be weaker than in the past (and thus we would be more lenient in determining who is exempt from fasting) or in a better position due to improved medical treatment (and thus we would be stricter in determining who is exempt).
• (The halachos about who should fast on Asarah beTeves and Tzom Gedalia are identical to those on Shiva Asar beTammuz; Taanis Esther has further leniencies that we will not outline here but Yom Kippur is much more severe)

One Who Accidentally Ate on a Fast Day

• If someone accidentally ate on a Fast Day, they must still complete the fast. They can still say ‘Aneinu’ at Mincha (MB 549:3, 565:3)

Other Restrictions on Shiva Asar beTammuz

• Unlike Tisha B’av, the fast of Shiva Asar beTammuz does not start at night and there is no strict requirement to refrain from intimacy, wearing leather shoes or washing or anointing oneself.
• One who is scrupulous: However, Mishna Berura recommends that a ba’al nefesh, one who is scrupulous, should be strict on all these things like on Tisha b’av, except for wearing leather,  shoes, washing if it’s Erev Shabbos and intimacy on leil tevilah.
• Washing in hot water: He  further notes that there is a custom, (even for those who do not treat themselves as ba’alei nefesh), not to wash one’s whole body in hot water on Shiva Asar beTammuz (though one may wash one’s face, hands and feet in hot water according to this custom) (SA 550:2, MB 6, SHT 8).