The 17th of Tamuz

What do we mourn during this time of Redemption? What do we lament during the three weeks when we see Israel coming back home?

A day of fasting is not one of dieting. We are not fasting for something far-removed from ourselves, but rather for our situation this very day.

One of the tragedies that we mourn on the 17th of Tammuz is the burning of the Torah - the ultimate repression of the ultimate book.

Israel proceeds, generation after generation, to rectify the Original Sin, and other sins which hinder the complete and lofty appearance of the Torah.

The purpose of the fast is not to recall past tragedies, but to provide a means for "waking the hearts and clearing the paths to repentance."

A day of fasting in the Jewish calendar – such as this Sunday's Fast of Tammuz – is not one of dieting, but rather a day of introspection and teshuva (contrition and remorse). We are not fasting for something far-removed from ourselves, but rather for our situation this very day.

At first glance, it seems that the purpose of the month of Tamuz is to make us depressed. How should we relate too this month?

At first glance, it seems that the purpose of the month of Tamuz is to make us depressed. How should we relate too this month?

The Sages state in the Mishna: Five tragic events befell our forefathers on the seventeenth of Tamuz.