Shiva Asar B'Tamuz
Why Do We Fast? - Part II
by Rabbi Yehudah Prero
In the last post we mentioned that we fast on the 17th day of Tamuz because
of five tragedies that occurred on that day. We explained what the five
tragedies were. However, we still need to explain why we fast: What is the
point of fasting, of withholding nourishment from ourselves, on this day?
The Rambam, in the fifth chapter of Hilchos Ta'aniyos (The laws of Fasts)
writes that we fast on days that calamities occurred to us "because it can
serve to arouse our hearts and to open ourselves to the paths of repentance.
It serves as a reminder of our wicked conduct and that of our ancestors which
resembles our present conduct, and therefore brought these calamities upon
them and upon us. By reminding ourselves of these matters, we will repent and
improve our conduct, as the verse says in Vayikra 26:40, 'And they will
confess their sin and the sin of their forefathers...'."
One lesson that we see from the Rambam is that fasting in it of itself does
not serve a purpose. The Mishna B'rura in 549:1 writes that the fast "is only
a preparation for repentance. Therefore, those people who while they fast go
on trips and involve themselves in idleness and useless activities have
grasped on to the subordinate and set aside the main and essential." We have
to remember why we have this day of fasting, and use the time allotted for
the correct purpose: to inspire ourselves to repent. But, why are we
being inspired to repent now, on the 17th of Tamuz (and on the 9th of Av,
etc.)? We were not the cause of the catastrophes that occurred on this day;
our forefathers were. Why do WE need to be inspired to repent on this day?
The answer to this is another lesson we glean from the Rambam. We see that
the Rambam stresses that we share responsibility for the tragedies that have
occurred in the previous generations. The Talmud Yerushalmi (in the tractate
of Yoma) tells us that every generation in which the Temple is not rebuilt
should consider itself as if the Temple was destroyed in its days. We see
that if we were truly greater than the generations who had these tragedies
occur to them, we would not be fasting on this day, as we would have a Temple
standing in Jerusalem. Because our deeds are not up to par, we have no
Temple, and repentance is in order.
We now know why we fast. May we merit to all take this lesson to heart, and
see the Temple rebuilt speedily, in our days.
Check out all of the posts on The Three Weeks: 17 Tammuz - 9 Av Mourning the Destruction. Head over to
http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/ to access the YomTov Page. Then click on the icon for the holiday of your choice.
For questions, comments, and topic requests, please write to Rabbi Yehudah Prero.
