B"H
Tuesday, Tevet 10, 5782 / December 14, 2021
Today, the 10th day of the Hebrew month Tevet, is a fast day.
There are six fast days in the year: Tzom Gedaliah - Fast of Gedaliah (3rd of Tishrei); Yom Kippur (10th of Tishrei); Asara B'Tevet (10th of Tevet); Ta'anit Esther - Fast of Esther (13th of Adar); Shiva Asar B'Tammuz (17th of Tammuz); and Tisha B'Av (9th of Av).
The fasts of Tzom Gedaliah, Asara B'Tevet, Shiva Asar B'Tammuz and Tisha B'Av are mentioned in the Prophets and are associated with the destruction of the First Temple.
Q. Why do we fast on the 10th of Tevet?
A. On the 10th of Tevet in the year 3336 (-425), Nebuchadnezar, king of Babylon, began his siege of Jerusalem. It ended in the year 3338 (-423), with the destruction of the First Beth Hamikdash (Holy Temple) and the exile of Jews from Israel to Babylon.
Though Nebuchadnezar's mighty army laid siege to Jerusalem, the small Jewish army within its walls inflicted heavy losses on their Babylonian attackers. Despite starvation in the city, they fought bravely for two and a half years. Finally, on the 17th of Tammuz, Nebuchadnezar's army breached the walls of Jerusalem. Three weeks later, on the 9th of Av, they set fire to the Holy Temple.
The holy Temple was built by King Solomon four hundred and forty years after the people of Israel entered the land of Israel. The First Temple stood for 410 years until it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezar.
Today’s fast observes the beginning of the destruction of the Holy Temple.
Q. Why should we remember a tragic event which took place two thousand five hundred years ago?
A. The Code of Jewish Law states: "The purpose of the fast is to stir our hearts to repentance and to remind us of our own misdeeds, as well as those of our ancestors, which brought upon them, as well as upon us, all these troubles. Remembering these events encourages us to improve our ways."
As in all other fast days, we recite special prayers in connection with the events of the day.
We read from the Torah in the morning (Shacharit) and afternoon (Mincha) services. It is customary to distribute more charity on a fast day.
There is a happy note to the fast; The Prophet Zechariah tells us that the 10th of Tevet, as well as all the other fast days connected to the destruction of the Holy Temple, will be suspended when Moshiach comes and will, in fact, become days of happiness, rejoicing and festivity (Zechariah 8).
May it be speedily in our days. Amen.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY