Jewish Holidays

The Aĥaronim write that it is forbidden to hold dances from 17 Tamuz through 9 Av. This prohibition includes playing and listening to instrumental music.

The Three Weeks, which begin on the night of Shiv’a Asar Be-Tamuz and continue through Tisha Be-Av, are a painful time.

On ordinary fast days, when we do not pray Ne’ila, the law depends on when the congregants pray Minĥa. If a congregation that recites Birkat Kohanim prays Minĥa at the same time that Ne’ila would take place, i.e., shortly before shki’a, the Kohanim bless the people

During Shaĥarit and Minĥa of public fast days, we read the section of the Torah that describes how God forgave Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf .

The Sages prescribed the addition of a special berakha during the ĥazan’s repetition of the Amida on fast days.

The prophets and the Sages instituted the fasts for healthy people, not for sick people. anyone who is sick is exempt from fasting, even if his condition is not life-threatening.

The Halacah of fasts reguarding Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers.

Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha Be-Av. However, pregnant and nursing women need not fast on the minor fast.

One who accidentally eats or drinks on a fast day must continue fasting, because these days were instituted as fast days due to the distress that we experienced on them.

Le-khatĥila, one should not wash his mouth on the minor fasts, because there is concern that one might swallow drops of water.