Ask the Rav #8: Asara Betevs & More

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Ask the Rav: Your Questions - Our Answers

A global inbox meets timeless wisdom. Ask the Rav is a series built entirely on authentic questions sent from Jews around the world — from Brooklyn to Be’er Sheva, Melbourne to Manchester. Each question is a real-life dilemma, curiosity, or challenge answered with thoughtful and grounded halachic guidance.

*To clarify the distinction between the From the Rav’s Desk series and the Ask the Rav series. While both feature real questions submitted by readers, From the Rav’s Desk is far more informative and educational. It begins with a concise answer followed by an in-depth analysis, exploring all nuances and background details, and concluding with comprehensive, source-based discussion—almost like a formal responsum – Shaalos Veteshuvos. In contrast, Ask the Rav is designed to deliver a simple response to the question, without much elaboration. the answers are brief, straightforward with minimal explanation and only short, essential sources.

Q&A

Answer:
Yes. A Chasan and Kallah are obligated to fast on public fast days even during the seven days of Sheva Brachos. This includes Asarah B’Teves, and even if the fast day coincides with their wedding day, they must fast until nightfall. The reason for this is because the mourning of the public takes precedence over the private celebration of an individual.

 

Sources:

M”A 550:6; Ritva Taanis; Peri Hadamah 4:41; Kesones Yosef 5; Beis Yehuda 31; Birkeiy Yosef 549:2; Kaf Hachaim 549:9; M”B 550:12; Biur Halacha 549 “Chayavim”; Maharil Diskin Kuntrus Acharon 74

Lenient View: Some Poskim rule that a Chasan is not required to fast, as his personal Yom Tov is considered greater than the Yom Tov of a Bris Milah and therefore overrides public mourning. [Beis David 476; Kaf HaChaim ibid; Kneses HaGedolah 559; Ben Ish Chai Shoftim 17; Magen Avraham ibid]

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.