- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Essence of the Fast
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Answer: The 3rd of Tishrei is Tzom Gedalia, the least known of the 6 public fast days in the year. The fast was decreed by the Sages to commemorate the assassination of Gedalia ben Ahikam, governor of Judea after the destruction of the 1st Bet HaMikdash. Gedalia was murdered in Mitzpa by Yishmael ben Netanya, who was in league with the King of Ammon against the Jews. Though Gedalia was warned of Yishmael's plot, he could not believe that a fellow Jew would commit so horrible an act. The death of Gedalia effectively ended Jewish independence in Israel for hundreds of years & resulted in thousands of deaths. We would do well to remember, as we fast, the horrific consequences that Jew vs. Jew hatred can bring, & the high price we pay for disunity.
Zera Yisrael
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tevet 12 5777
Lighting Candles When One Needs to Leave the House
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar I 16 5776
Must I Repeat my Tefillah?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
