Halocho #122 - Why do we fast?

We fast on those days when misfortune happened to the Jewish people as a reminder to improve our ways. Those who treat a fast day as a semi-holiday and go on trips are missing the point. Fast days should be dedicated to introspection and figuring out which Mitzvot to take more seriously. On Sunday will be the fast of 17 Tammuz when 5 major misfortunes happened to the Jewish people:

1. Moshe Rabbeinu broke the luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped
2. The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash (temple) a result of the siege which led up to the destruction 3 weeks later.
3. At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, 3 weeks before the destruction
4. Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah
5. An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 121:1, 4 - Danny Tuesday, 12 Tammuz 5768

Please daven for a little girl - TAMAR bat NAAMA - תמר בת נעמה