14 Lessons
11. The Torah Reading for Fast Days
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
During Shaĥarit and Minĥa of public fast days, we read the section of the Torah that describes how God forgave Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf .
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
12. Birkat Kohanim at Minha
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
On ordinary fast days, when we do not pray Ne’ila, the law depends on when the congregants pray Minĥa. If a congregation that recites Birkat Kohanim prays Minĥa at the same time that Ne’ila would take place, i.e., shortly before shki’a, the Kohanim bless the people
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 19 5782
10. The Aneinu Prayer
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Sages prescribed the addition of a special berakha during the ĥazan’s repetition of the Amida on fast days.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
7. Sick People Are Exempt from Fasting
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The prophets and the Sages instituted the fasts for healthy people, not for sick people. anyone who is sick is exempt from fasting, even if his condition is not life-threatening.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
8. Pregnant and Nursing Women on Tisha Be-Av and the Minor Fast Days
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha Be-Av. However, pregnant and nursing women need not fast on the minor fast.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
9. Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Halacah of fasts reguarding Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
6. One Who Forgets That It Is a Fast Day
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
One who accidentally eats or drinks on a fast day must continue fasting, because these days were instituted as fast days due to the distress that we experienced on them.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
5. Rinsing One’s Mouth
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Le-khatĥila, one should not wash his mouth on the minor fasts, because there is concern that one might swallow drops of water.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
4. Eating and Drinking Before Dawn
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Even though the fast starts at alot ha-shaĥar, one’s prohibition to eat sometimes begins the night before.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
2. The Laws of the Minor Fasts
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
since we no longer suffer from harsh decrees and religious persecution, and, on the other hand, the Holy Temple is still in ruins, the status of the minor fasts currently depends on the will of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
1. The Status of the Minor Fasts Today
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Jewish people observe all the fasts, even in the intermediate situation, and therefore all Jews are obligated to fast on these days.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
3. The Duration of the Minor Fasts
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The minor fasts last from dawn (alot ha-shaĥar) until tzeit ha-kokhavim (when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky).
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782
1. The Institution of the Fasts
Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple
After the destruction of the First Temple, the prophets instituted fast days in commemoration of the terrible events surrounding its destruction and the exile of the Jews from their land.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 12 5782