Tzom Gedalia

The Gemara (Rosh Hashana 18) lists the series of fasts that Chazal enacted to remember events leading up to or resulting from the churban Bais Hamikdash, such as asara b'teves, shiva asar b'tammuz, and tisha b'av). The fourth ta'anis listed is Tzom Gedaliah. Gedaliah ben Achikam was the leader of Jews remaining in Eretz Yisroel after the churban of the first Bais Hamikdash. The fast commemorates his assassination, and the Gemara explains that this fast shows us that the death of righteous individuals is as grievous as the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash itself.

Our history is replete with the stories of countless great individuals, and some of them also suffered a tragic end. What was so unique about Gedaliah's murder that it merits a special day in our calendar?

The Ben Yehoyada explains that there is a crucial difference whether a murder is perpetrated by a Jew or a non-Jew. When a Yid commits murder, he is using his bechira, his free will, for the purpose of evil. This is the power Hashem invested in people. As such, it is private affair, a personal act between these two individuals. However, when a non-Jew kills a Jew, that is usually a gezeira min hashamayim, part of a Heavenly decree.

Gedaliah was killed by Yishmael ben Netanya, a fellow Jew. Therefore, it is considered an avoidable incident, and this compounds the tragedy.

The Ben Yehoyada adds that there is another important feature to a murder committed by a Jew, and that is the accompanying chilul Hashem. Nevuchadnetzar had some mercy on the Yidden and allowed a small number to stay alive and remain in Eretz Yisroel. They lost this gift because of the internal strife and sinah among them, and this led to tragic consequences.