Halocho #1126 - Why do we fast today - 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:

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 as a result of the seige

3. At the time of the 2nd Bet Hamikdash the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the enemy, three weeks before the destruction

4. Apustumus the wicked [Roman] burned a Sefer Torah

5. 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 5773

Please daven for the complete recovery of a little boy diagnosed with lymphoma: יוֹנָתָן-שִׂמְחָה בֶּן לֵאָה-רִבְקָה