Jewish Holidays

since we no longer suffer from harsh decrees and religious persecution, and, on the other hand, the Holy Temple is still in ruins, the status of the minor fasts currently depends on the will of the Jewish people.

The Jewish people observe all the fasts, even in the intermediate situation, and therefore all Jews are obligated to fast on these days.

On the third of Tishrei, Gedalia b. Aĥikam was killed. This extinguished the last ember of Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael and realized the full measure of exile. This is why the prophets instituted a fast day.

The minor fasts last from dawn (alot ha-shaĥar) until tzeit ha-kokhavim (when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky).

The Sages state in the Mishna: Five tragic events befell our forefathers on the ninth of Av

The Sages state in the Mishna: Five tragic events befell our forefathers on the seventeenth of Tamuz.

The prophets established a fast day on the tenth of Tevet, because that is when Nebuchadnezzar and his army arrived to besiege Jerusalem.

After the destruction of the First Temple, the prophets instituted fast days in commemoration of the terrible events surrounding its destruction and the exile of the Jews from their land.

A Must Watch Story Before Yom Kippur about how forgiveness brings Hasem to forgive us.

Many people had a custom to throw expensive clothing into the bonfire at Meron, explaining that they do so in honor of R. Shimon bar Yoĥai.