Chapter Overview
This chapter shifts from fasts for current calamities to the permanent national fast days established to remember the destruction of the Jewish people and the Beit HaMikdash. The Rambam explains their purpose, the events they commemorate, the unique laws of Tisha B’Av, and the obligation to remember Jerusalem even during times of joy.
Halachah 1 – Why We Fast
These fasts are not merely days of mourning.
Their purpose is:
- To awaken the heart.
- To inspire repentance.
- To remind us of the sins that caused the disasters.
- To encourage us to improve our deeds.
Remembering the tragedies of the past helps prevent repeating the mistakes that led to them.
Halachah 2 – Tzom Gedaliah, Asarah B’Tevet, and Shivah Asar B’Tammuz
3 Tishrei – Fast of Gedaliah
Gedaliah ben Achikam was assassinated.
His death extinguished the final remnant of Jewish self-government after the destruction of the First Temple.
10 Tevet
Nebuchadnezzar began the siege of Jerusalem.
This marked the beginning of the process that culminated in the Temple’s destruction.
17 Tammuz
Five tragedies occurred:
- The Tablets were broken.
- The daily Tamid offering ceased during the First Temple period.
- Jerusalem’s walls were breached in the Second Temple period.
- Apostomos burned a Torah scroll.
- An idol was erected in the Temple.
Halachah 3 – Tisha B’Av
Five major tragedies occurred on the Ninth of Av:
- The Spies
The decree was issued that the generation of the wilderness would not enter Eretz Yisrael.
- First Temple Destruction
- Second Temple Destruction
- Fall of Beitar
The stronghold of Bar Kochba was captured and its inhabitants massacred.
- Jerusalem Plowed Over
Turnus Rufus plowed the Temple area and its surroundings, fulfilling the prophecy:
“Zion shall be plowed like a field.”
Halachah 4 – The Four Scriptural Fasts
Zechariah refers to:
- The Fast of the Fourth Month
- The Fast of the Fifth Month
- The Fast of the Seventh Month
- The Fast of the Tenth Month
These are:
| Fast | Date |
| Fast of the Fourth | 17 Tammuz |
| Fast of the Fifth | 9 Av |
| Fast of the Seventh | 3 Tishrei |
| Fast of the Tenth | 10 Tevet |
Halachah 5 – Ta’anit Esther
Israel also accepted the custom of fasting on:
13 Adar (Ta’anit Esther)
to commemorate the fast observed during the days of Haman.
If it falls on Shabbat, it is moved earlier.
The four major fasts, by contrast, are postponed when they fall on Shabbat.
Halachah 6 – General Laws of the Minor Fasts
On these fasts:
- No special trumpets are sounded.
- No Ne’ilah prayer is recited.
- “Vayechal Moshe” is read in the Torah.
- Eating is permitted the night before.
The exception is Tisha B’Av, which begins before sunset.
Halachah 7 – The Nine Days
When Av begins:
“We diminish joy.”
During the week in which Tisha B’Av falls:
- Haircuts are avoided.
- Laundry is avoided.
- Freshly laundered clothing is avoided.
Long-standing Jewish custom also developed to:
- Refrain from meat.
- Avoid bathing for pleasure.
Halachah 8 – The Final Meal Before Tisha B’Av
The final meal (Seudah HaMafseket) should be simple.
One may not:
- Eat meat.
- Drink wine.
- Eat two cooked dishes.
If Tisha B’Av falls after Shabbat, however, one may eat normally at the Shabbat meals.
Halachah 9 – Tisha B’Av Like Yom Kippur
Tisha B’Av begins before nightfall.
It shares the major afflictions of Yom Kippur:
- No eating or drinking.
- No washing.
- No anointing.
- No leather footwear.
- No marital relations.
Pregnant and nursing women are required to fast.
Halachah 10 – The Practice of the Early Chassidim
The Rambam describes the conduct of the pious:
Before the fast they would eat:
- Dry bread
- Salt
- Water
They would sit in mourning and grief like someone whose deceased relative lay before him.
The Rambam writes that scholars should strive toward this spirit.
Halachah 11 – Additional Mourning Practices on Tisha B’Av
Torah scholars act as mourners:
- Greetings are minimized.
- Torah study is restricted.
Permitted study includes:
- Job
- Lamentations
- Tragic portions of Jeremiah
Children do not conduct regular Torah studies that day.
Some communities also omitted tefillin in the morning.
Halachah 12 – Remembering the Churban at Home
After the destruction of the Temple, the Sages ordained that when building a house one should:
- Leave an unfinished area measuring one cubit by one cubit opposite the entrance.
This serves as a permanent reminder of Jerusalem.
Halachah 13 – Remembering Jerusalem During Celebrations
Several practices commemorate the Churban:
At Meals
Leave a small part of a banquet incomplete.
Jewelry
A woman leaves off part of her usual adornment.
Weddings
The groom places ashes where tefillin are worn.
These practices fulfill:
“If I forget you, O Jerusalem…”
Halachah 14 – Restrictions on Music
The Sages prohibited instrumental music as part of mourning for the Temple.
The Rambam also records a prohibition against frivolous singing over wine.
However, songs of praise and thanksgiving to God remained accepted Jewish practice.
Halachah 15 – Wedding Crowns
Additional decrees included:
- The abolition of special crowns for grooms.
- Restrictions on elaborate bridal crowns made of gold and silver.
Simple decorative garlands remained permitted for brides.
Halachah 16 – Tearing Garments Upon Seeing the Destruction
One who sees:
The cities of Judah in ruin
recites a verse and tears his garment.
Jerusalem in ruin
tears again.
The Temple site in ruin
tears an additional tear.
These acts express mourning for the ongoing destruction.
Halachah 17 – How the Tearing Is Done
The tear must be:
- Standing.
- Done by hand.
- Large enough to expose the heart.
These tears are never fully repaired.
Halachah 18 – Repeated Visits
If one returns within thirty days:
- No new tear is required.
After thirty days:
- One tears again.
Halachah 19 – The Future Redemption
The Rambam concludes with a vision of hope.
All these fasts will one day cease:
“The Fast of the Fourth, the Fast of the Fifth, the Fast of the Seventh, and the Fast of the Tenth shall become for the House of Judah joy, gladness, and happy festivals.”
In the Messianic era, the days now associated with mourning will become days of celebration and peace.
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