the thRee WeeKsIn the event that Mashiah does not come …

This year the 17th of Tammuz falls on Thursday, July 9, 2020. The Fast begins at 5:23 am and ends at 8:38 pm. The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz marks the start of The Three Weeks, a period of mourning leading up to the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash on the 9th of Ab.

The period of The Three Weeks has historically been a time of misfortune and calamity for the Jewish People. During this time, amongst other terrible tragedies, both the First and Second Temples were destroyed. We mourn the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and we refrain from celebrating or attending festive events. This intensifi es our yearning to see the Beit Hamikdash rebuilt in Yerushalayim.

Our grieving is meant to help us conquer those spiritual defi ciencies which brought about these tragic events. Through the process of Teshuba - self-introspection and a commitment to improve - we have the power to transform tragedy into joy.

The Talmud says that after the future redemption of Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple, these fast days will be rededicated as days of rejoicing and festivity. 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.”

The Gematria (numerical value) of the word tob (good) equals the number 17, implying that the Fast of the 17th

of Tammuz will turn into a day of happiness for the Jewish Nation upon Mashiah’s arrival. Amen!

The Three Weeks are referred to as the period “within the straits” (Ben HaMetzarim), in accordance with the verse, “all her oppressors have overtaken her within the straits” (Lamentations 1:3). On Shabbat during The Three Weeks, the Haftarah is read from chapters in Isaiah and Jeremiah dealing with the Temple’s destruction and the exile of the Jewish People.

From the 17th of Tammuz until Rosh Hodesh Menahem Ab (July 9th – July 22nd ) the following laws apply:

(There are additional laws which apply from Rosh Hodesh Ab,and intensify for the week of Tish’a Be’Ab. A separate newsletter will follow.)

1. Various aspects of mourning are observed. We refrain from listening to music, live or recorded; we refrain from dancing, with or without music; and we refrain from singing, with exception of prayer to H-shem, etc.

2. We minimize joy and celebration and do not celebrate weddings or other festivities, even without a festive meal. Exceptions are a Brit Milah and a Pidyon Haben which must be done in a timely manner.

3. Haircutting and shaving is permitted, except during the week of Tish’a Be’Ab.4. We increase Ahabat Israel - friendship and harmony - among ourselves.5. One should avoid potentially dangerous endeavors since the attribute of Divine Judgment (Din) is acutely

felt during this time.6. We do not recite the beraha of “Shehehiyanu” during The Three Weeks, so anything requiring “Shehehiyanu”

should not be enjoyed at this time (new clothes, new fruit, etc.). This rule is more lenient on Shabbat. However, during the fi rst nine days of Hodesh Ab, wearing new clothing is prohibited EVEN on Shabbat.

the 17th of taMMUZ - a hIstoRIC day of CaLaMItyThe Fast of the 17th of Tammuz was originally observed on the 9th of Tammuz since that was the day Jerusalem fell prior to the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE. However, after Jerusalem fell on the 17th of Tammuz prior to the destruction of the Second Temple, our Sages decided upon a combined observance for both tragedies on the 17th of Tammuz.Many calamities occurred in Jewish history on the 17th of Tammuz.

In Biblical times, Moshe descended from Mount Sinai on this day and, upon seeing the golden calf, broke the fi rst set of Tablets upon which was written the Ten Commandments. Moshe destroyed the golden calf, ascended Har Sinai for a second time, and for forty days pleaded for forgiveness for the sin of the golden calf.

During the era of the First Temple, the Cohanim stopped offering the daily sacrifi ce on this day due to the absence of sheep after the many months of the siege on Jerusalem. The very next year, in 3184 (506 BCE), the walls of Jerusalem were breached by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces.

During the period of Roman persecution, when the Second Temple stood, an idol was placed in the holy sanctuary of the Temple, and also the heathen Apostomos, captain of the occupation forces, publicly burned the Torah - both acts of open blasphemy and desecration. These events were followed by Titus and his Rome forces breaching the walls of Jerusalem in 3760 (70 CE)

In 4999 (1239 CE), Pope Gregory IX ordered the confi scation of all manuscripts of the Talmud.

In 1391 CE, more than 4000 Jews were killed in Toledo and Jaen, Spain, and in 4319 (1559), the Jewish Quarter of Prague was burned and looted. Also, the Kovno Ghetto was liquidated on this day in 5704 (1944), and in 5730 (1970), Libya ordered the confi scation of all Jewish property.

Another interesting occurrence on this day: In 1650 (2100 BCE), Noah sent out the fi rst dove to see if the waters of the Flood had receded.

HOW TO OBSERVE THE FAST DAY - THURSDAY, JULY 9th, 2020

No eating or drinking is permitted from the break of dawn until dusk. Men (ages 13 and up) and women (ages 12 and up) must fast from 5:23 am – 8:38 pm. One is allowed to eat before dawn (before 5:24 am) provided that one made a condition (Te’nai) the night before, stating that if one woke up early enough, one would be able to eat prior to the fast. Pregnant and nursing women, and others whose health would be adversely affected, may be exempt from the fast. For any specifi c situation, kindly speak to the Rabbi.

Tzedaka should be given, Igra D’Taanith, equal to the amount of the cost of the three meals not being eaten. This is to emphasize that we are not fasting in order to save money.

Extra prayers are said on this day. The Torah is read both during Shaharit and Minha. Birkat Cohanim is said during Minha. In some communities, Tefi lin are worn during Minha on Fast Days.

Children should not eat candies or sweets.

We should strive to increase Ahabat Israel, unity and love, among the Jewish Nation.

Bathing, anointing, and wearing leather shoes are all permitted.

Why do We fast?What function does fasting serve in our spiritual life? How does being hungry and thirsty help us connect?

There are six regular fast days on the Jewish Calendar. Two of these fasts, Tish’a Be’Ab and Yom Kippur, are “full fasts”, beginning at sunset and ending the following day when the stars appear. The others are “half-day fasts”, lasting from sunrise to stars out. During these times, adults may neither eat nor drink, even water (with exceptions for people with health issues).

Except for Yom Kippur, these fast days were established by the Prophets because of the catastrophes and suffering that occurred on those dates, and the 17th of Tammuz is the first of four fast days mentioned in the Prophets. Thus, the purpose of a fast day is to awaken our sense of loss over the destruction of the Temple and the subsequent Jewish journey into exile. The intent is to help us recall the negative behavior of our ancestors that led to those calamities, and to focus our attention on our own parallel behavior.

During these days, each person is meant to make a personal accounting of his or her behavior and resolve to return to the positive path. According to Rabbi Eliahu Kitov, in The Book of Our Heritage, one who fasts and spends the day idly without repentance, misses the point. That person is emphasizing the fasting, which is secondary, and de-emphasizing the repentance, which is primary. He quotes the Book of Jonah (3:10) where it says about the people of the City of Nineveh, “and God saw their actions.” Our Sages point out that the verse doesn’t say that G-d saw their sackcloth and fasting, but their actions (Talmud Ta’anit 22a). The purpose of fasting is to bring one to repent and true repentance brings about a change in actions.

Beginning on the Shabbat after the 17th of Tammuz, we read the Three of Rebuke, three weekly Haftarah readings from the Prophets, which prophesy the Destruction, describe the sins which caused it, and admonish us to repent our ways. During The Three Weeks, no weddings or other joyous events are held. Additional mourning practices are assumed during The Nine Days, beginning on the First of Ab. (This may vary among the different communities; please consult with the Rabbi.)

It is important to emphasize that there is more to The Three Weeks than fasting and lamentation. The Prophet describes fasts as “days of goodwill before G-d”, days of opportunity to utilize the failings of the past as the impetus for a renewed and even deeper bond with G-d. A sense of purification accompanies

the fasting, a promise of redemption pervades the mourning, and a current of joy underlies the sadness.

The Ninth of Ab, say our Sages in the Talmud, is not only the day of the Temple’s destruction, it is also the birthday

of Mashiah. The Three of Rebuke are thus followed by Seven of Consolation, seven weekly Haftarah

readings describing the future redemption and the rebuilding of the marriage between G-d and Israel.

sPeCIaL sChedULe foR the fast dayTHURSDAY, JULY 9th, FAST OF 17 OF TAMMUZ

TA’ANIT BEGINS AT 5:23 AM / CONCLUDES AT 8:38 PM

FULL SCHEDULE

Shaharit Ness Minyan (Main Sanctuary)

Korbanot 5:55 am

Amidah 6:36 am

Main Minyan 8:00 am

Minha with Sefer Torah 7:40 pm

Birkat Cohanim before 8:15 pm

Arbit 8:15 pm

Ta’anit ends 8:38 pm

*** Wednesday, July 22nd, is Rosh Hodesh “Menahem -Ab” ***

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