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Page 13 - Tzomot - Fasts

Fasting means abstaining from eating, drinking and all pleasures.


We have five fasts, and they were established as a reminder of tragic events - the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple and the kingdom of King David.

1) The fast of the tenth day of the tenth month reminds us of the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian King Nebukadnesar.

2) The fast of the ninth day of the fourth month was appointed as a reminder of the breaking of the walls of Jerusalem during the siege by the Babylonian King Nebukadnesar.

3) The fast of the seventh day of the fifth month reminds us of the beginning of destruction in Jerusalem.

4) The fast of the tenth day of the fifth month reminds of the Temple being set alight. According to our teachers of faith, this was between the seventh day of the fifth month and the tenth day of the fifth month that Jerusalem was destroyed.

5) The fast of 24th day of the seventh month reminds us of the murder of Gedalya the son of Akhikam, who was appointed by the king of Babylon as governor of Judea. Gedalya was murdered by Ishmael the son of Nethaniah. This murder was the end of the kingdom.