We hope this email finds you and your families well. As you all know, tomorrow, Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas VaYigash, we will be observing the fast of Asarah B’Teives. This presents us with unique challenge of trying to experience the profound loss of the Beis HaMikdash while maintaining our usual excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Shabbos. Please take a few moments to review the halachos that Chazal have instituted to help guide us in striking this difficult balance.
- Even on Erev Shabbos the fast must be observed until nightfall (5:12 P.M.)
- Shacharis remains the same as all public fast days
- While we do lein (both the kriyas hatorah and haftarah) and recite aneinu at Minchah, Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu are omitted
- All of the regular Shabbos preparations, including showers, haircuts, and shaving may be performed as usual
- Those who have the custom to taste the Shabbos food prior to Shabbos (טועמיה חיים זכו) may do so, but must be sure not to swallow any of the food
- All are encouraged to take advantage of our early Minchah options (12:30, 1:30) to distance the mournful tefillos of Minchah from Shabbos as much as possible
- One should recite Kiddush on leil Shabbos without delay to ensure that the fast does not linger into Shabbos
Above all, it is crucial to reiterate that these halachos are designed to assist us in achieving the proper levels of introspection and teshuva that are the true goals of a taanis. As the Rambam reminds us,
“יש שם ימים שכל ישראל מתענים בהם מפני הצרות שאירעו בהן כדי לעורר הלבבות ולפתוח דרכי התשובה ויהיה זה זכרון למעשינו הרעים ומעשה אבותינו שהיה כמעשינו עתה עד שגרם להם ולנו אותן הצרות, שבזכרון דברים אלו נשוב להיטיב שנאמר והתודו את עונם ואת עון אבותם”
In fact, the Chassam Sofer teaches us that Asarah B’Teives in particular is unique in that it is the single fast day which was instituted not merely to commemorate tragedies of the past, but to mourn and daven for the reversal of current difficulties. As we continue to face confounding new challenges which constantly remind us of the precariousness of life and difficulties of galus, it behooves us to take advantage of the special opportunity that Asarah B’Teives offers us in beseeching the Almighty for רחמי שמים!
בידידות ובצפייה לישועה,
Rabbi Eytan Feiner
Rabbi Motti Neuburger
