ASARA B’TEVET
On this day, Nevuchadnetzer besieged the city of Yerushalayim. His campaign culminated in the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash.
WHO MUST FAST?
All must fast, including a Chattan and Kallah during the week of Sheva Brachot, and Baalei Habrit (i.e. the Mohel, the Sandak, and the father of the baby). If one inadvertently ate during the fast, one must immediately resume fasting. Mothers who are either pregnant or nursing, or have difficulty fasting while tending to their young children, should consult with a Rav. [One shouldn’t be unduly strict in this regard, so as not to harm the wellbeing of mother and baby.] The ill/elderly should also consult with a Rav. Anyone below Bar/Bat Mitzvah need not fast. From the age of nine upwards, the custom is to train children to fast for several hours, as per the child’s abilities. An individual exempt from fasting should eat in private only, and avoid delicacies or excessive intake. Similarly, children old enough to understand the concept of a fast should avoid delicacies.
EATING PRIOR TO THE FAST
One may eat and drink the entire evening until dawn (5:23am), provided that either of these conditions are met:
- One didn’t go to sleep for the night. [Dozing off is not regarded as such.]
- One stipulated (preferably verbally) before going to sleep that he would eat upon waking. In this case, one recites the morning Brachot before eating.
LAWS OF FASTING
One shouldn’t brush one’s teeth nor rinse one’s mouth. [If this will cause great aggravation, there is room to be lenient, provided that one leans forward to prevent any liquid from flowing down one’s throat; that one uses substances unfit for consumption (e.g. Listerine); and that one rinses with less than 86 ml.] One may take non-chewable pills for medical purposes, without water. A Rav should be consulted regarding other medicines. One may shower, bathe and apply ointments and creams. When a Brit occurs on a fast, the Seudah takes place at night, after the fast. One may not taste food to determine whether it requires salt/spices. However, when preparing food for a Seudat Mitzvah scheduled for the night following the fast, one may taste the food, provided that all these conditions are met:
- One expels it without swallowing.
- One tastes only an absolute minimum.
- One tastes less than 86 ml in total throughout the day.
The same applies when preparing for the Shabbat meals when Asarah B’Tevet occurs on Erev Shabbat.
CONDUCT ON A FAST DAY
One should learn Torah connected to the topic of the fast. One should give increased Tzedakah, especially before davening. It is proper to give the value of the forgone meals – especially if one is exempt from fasting. The purpose of fasting is to arouse one to do Teshuvah. Idling away one’s time, or partaking in joyous or entertaining activities, is not in the spirit of the fast. One should be especially careful not to become angered.
CHAZZAN’S RECITATION OF ANEINU
During Shacharit, only the Chazzan recites Aneinu. Therefore, a non-fasting individual shouldn’t serve as Chazzan. [In the unlikely event that the Chazzan is not fasting, or less than three congregants are fasting: Instead of reciting Aneinu between Goal Yisrael and R’faeinu, the Chazzan includes Aneinu in the Brachah of Sh’ma Koleinu, and concludes the Brachah regularly; i.e. Shomea Tefillah.] A Chazzan who forgot to recite Aneinu:
- if he remembered before reciting Hashem’s name at the conclusion of the Brachah of R’faeinu, he recites Aneinu immediately, and then repeats the Brachah of R’faeinu;
- if he already concluded the Brachah of R’faeinu, he recites Aneinu in the Brachah of Sh’ma Koleinu, and concludes the Brachah with a double conclusion; i.e. Ha’one B’eit Tzara V’shomea Tefillah;
- if he already concluded the Brachah of Sh’ma Koleinu, he recites Aneinu as a separate Brachah immediately after the Brachah of Sim Shalom.
SELICHOT & AVINU MALKEINU
One who is not fasting must still recite Selichot and Avinu Malkeinu. One who davens without a Minyan omits the Yud-Gimel Midot-Harachamim. If Tachnun is not recited (e.g. when a Chattan is present), Selichot is still recited, whereas Avinu Malkeinu is not recited.
TORAH READING
The passage of Vayechal is read, provided that at least three congregants are fasting. A non-fasting individual must still hear Kriat Hatorah of Vayechal, but is not called up for an Aliya. [If he is the only Kohen or Levi, he should absent himself.] If he is called up, and abstaining will cause him discomfort or minimize the honor of the Torah, he may accept the Aliyah. A non-fasting individual shouldn’t serve as the Ba’al Koreh, unless there is no one else to serve as the Ba’al Koreh. When the congregation recites the verses aloud, the Ba’al Koreh waits for silence before resuming. The one receiving the Aliyah begins these verses with the congregation, but ends with the Ba’al Koreh.
MINCHA
As it is Erev Shabbat, those who regularly recite Hodu and Posach Eliyahu should recite before Mincha. Mincha is longer than usual (due to Kriat Hatorah and Haftorah); care should be taken to conclude before sunset (4:43pm) especially as it is Erev Shabbat. Kriat Hatorah should not begin prior to Mincha Gedolah (12:07pm). The Amidah may certainly not begin before then. After Haftorah, most communities return the Torah to the Aron Kodesh and then say Kaddish. The Chabad custom is that the Chazzan slowly recites Kaddish while the Torah is returned to the Aron Kodesh. The Chazzan and the congregation recite Aneinu, even though it is Erev Shabbat. As it is Erev Shabbat, Tachnun and Avinu Malkeinu are not said. If an individual forgot to recite Aneinu in the Brachah of Sh’ma Koleinu, he may recite it in the passage of Elokai N’tzor, before the second Yih’yu L’ratzon. If one didn’t remember until he concluded the Amidah, he does not repeat it. [A non-fasting individual does not recite Aneinu.] The Chazzan recites Aneinu between Goel Yisrael and R’faeinu.
CONCLUSION OF FAST
The fast concludes at 5:10pm. The congregation may begin Maariv early, in order to enable the congregants to recite Kiddush immediately at nightfall (5:10pm). One who takes this course of action should recite Shema after nightfall, before Kiddush.
