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Beit Midrash
- Sections
- Peninei Halakha
- Shabbat and Holidays
- The Tenth of Tevet
- The Minor Fasts' Halachot
Even though the fast starts at alot ha-shaĥar, one’s prohibition to eat sometimes begins the night before. Namely, if one had in mind not to eat anymore before the fast, it is considered as if he accepted the fast upon himself, and he may not eat anymore. Therefore, if one went to sleep the night before a fast and woke up before dawn, he may not eat, since he had already taken his mind off of eating. However, if he stipulates mentally before going to sleep that he will eat if he wakes up before dawn, he may eat, because he has not yet accepted the fast upon himself.
This applies to eating. With regard to drinking, however, the poskim disagree. According to Rema, one may drink before dawn even if he did not explicitly stipulate before going to sleep that he would do so, because many people drink of water when they wake up. Therefore, it is as if he had in mind to drink if he wakes up before dawn. Shulĥan Arukh (564:1), however, maintains that there is no difference between eating and drinking, and only one who stipulates before going to sleep that he will drink some water when he wakes up before dawn may do so. In practice, one who wants to drink before the fast begins should stipulate mentally that he will do so, but be-di’avad, one who wakes up before dawn and is thirsty may drink, even if he failed to stipulate this (see mb 564:6, Kaf Ha-ĥayim 564:10).[5]
[5] This question is discussed in Ta’anit 12a. The reason for the prohibition is that one who goes to sleep takes his mind off of eating, and since these fasts were originally intended to begin at night, as we explained in section 1, if one takes his mind off of eating, it is as if he has accepted the fast. (See Ran 4:1, s.v. “Yerushalmi,” who mentions this rationale with regard to reciting Aneinu at night, even when one fasts only during the day.) Making a stipulation helps, as y. Ta’anit 1:4 indicates.
With regard to drinking water, since the dispute concerns a rabbinic law, the halakha follows the lenient opinion. Moreover, it seems that Rif agrees with Rosh who rules leniently. Taz 564:2 also concurs. Nonetheless, it is best to stipulate, as ma 564:2 and mb 564:6 state. Kaf Ha-ĥayim 564:10 cites several Aĥaronim who say that one who has a craving to drink may do so.
Tangentially, I would like to point out that even on a regular day, when one may not eat before Shaĥarit, one may eat before dawn and even begin a meal a half-hour before then. According to the custom of the kabbalists, however, one should not eat anything before praying in the morning, assuming one got regular sleep (Kaf Ha-ĥayim 564:7). However, even the kabbalists are lenient when it comes to drinking.
The Laws of Purim 5. Reading the Megilla and Publicizing the Miracle
Chapter 15: Purim and Reading the Megilla
Rabbis in Midrash
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
