This year, the fast of Asarah B’Teves falls out on Erev Shabbos.
In last week’s edition we explored the opinions of the Rishonim on whether one should continue fasting until nightfall and whether one should continue to fast even if one Davened Kabbolas Shabbos and accepted Shabbos.
The Halachic conclusion is that if one did not Daven and accept Shabbos early, one must continue to fast until nightfall. If one accepted Shabbos early, the Ram”o makes a distinction between private, where one is not obligated to continue fasting and communal fasts, where one is still obligated to fast until nightfall.
This position is the accepted Halacha as adopted by the Poskim, including the Magen Avraham, Alter Rebbe and Mishna Berura.
Based on this, when Asarah B’Teves falls on Friday, we continuing fasting until nightfall - Tzeis Hakochavim. Davening Kabbolas Shabbos early would not make a difference.
When to Daven Maariv?
It appears from the Poskim that it is Halachically preferable to not Daven Maariv early, even though they will wait until after Tzeis Hakochavim to eat.
As discussed in last week’s edition, the Alter Rebbe writes that according to the Maharam, after davening Maariv and accepting Shabbos, it is forbidden to continue fasting. Even though we do no follow the leniency of the Maharam and we continue to fast until nightfall, one should not Daven early and unnecessarily put themselves in a situation where they will be ‘fasting on Shabbos’.
(In communities where they would not get a Minyan or people would not come to Shule if they wait until nightfall to Daven, there is room for leniency to Daven Kabbolas Shabbos and Maariv early).
Some Acharonim write that when a fast falls on Erev Shabbos, they should Daven Maariv a little bit earlier, so that there is time for people to get home in time for Tzeis Hakochavim, in order to make Kiddush and start their meal straight away at the earliest possible time.
This is because after Tzeis Hakochavim the fast has ended and there would be an Issur to continue to fast any longer on Shabbos. When Davening Maariv before Tzeis Hakochavim, be lenient in a Shaas Hadechak or for someone who is feeling unwell, to at least be able to Daven Maariv early and eat then, especially if they will wait until after Shekiya.
One should discuss any personal situations or possibility of leniency, with their local Halachic authority.
A Final Point
Avudraham writes that the fast of Asarah B’Teves has a stringency over all of the other fasts, and were it to fall on Shabbos, we would fast on Shabbos. This is because the verse describing the siege on Yerushalaim on the 10th of Teves uses the phrase בעצם היום הזה, “on that very day”. The same term is used to describe the fasting on Yom Kippur. From this we derive that just as one fast on Yom Kippur on Shabbos, the same applies to the 10th of Teves.
The Avudraham is not applicable as Asarah B’Teves cannot fall out on Shabbos. Nonetheless, the Lubavitcher Rebbe suggests that based on the Avudraham, when Asarah B’Teves falls on Erev Shabbos, it is possible that according to all opinions one must fast until nightfall, even after having davened Maariv. Accordingly, the discussion in the Rishonim and Poskim about whether one continues to fast or not, would refer to other communal fast days.
When Moshiach comes, all of the fast days will be transformed into days of celebration. Being that Asarah B’Teves has a stricter dimension relating to the fast, it will be a greater day of celebration in the times of the Redemption.
May Moshiach come before this Shabbos, so that instead of fasting, we will enter Shabbos with the greatest joy of all.
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