Halocho #600 - Why do we fast on the 17th Tamuz?

Today - Tuesday - is the fast of 17 Tamuz which commemorates 5 major misfortunes which happened to the Jewish people on this date:

 

• Moshe Rabbeinu broke the luchot - the tablets - upon seeing the Golden Calf being worshiped
• The daily Tamid sacrifice was suspended in the first Bet Hamikdash as a result of the siege
• At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, three weeks before the destruction
• Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah
• An idol was placed in the Bet Hamikdash

 

On every fast-day there is Kriat HaTorah (Torah Reading) at both Shacharit and Mincha.

 

At Mincha, the 3rd Aliya also reads the Haftarah (from Yeshayahu 55:6). Only somebody who is fasting should be called up to the Torah on a fast day.

 

During the Mincha Amida, individuals add the "Aneinu" prayer into the 16th Bracha; Shema Kolienu. If one forgot, one does not need to make amends.

 

The Chazzan adds Aneinu during both Shacharit and Mincha, as a separate Bracha before Refo'enu.

 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 23:15, 19:14, 20:8

 

Have a meaningful fast,

 

- Danny
Tuesday, 17 Tamuz 5770

 

Please daven for a complete recovery of Pinchas ben Luba and his daughter Luba bat Ruth