Shivah Asar be-Tammuz—The 17th of Tammuz is the day on which the Babylonians first breached the walls of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. It is also the day in legend on which Moses shattered the first set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments when he found the Israelites dancing around the Golden Calf. Many other dark moments coincidentally transpired on this day during the course of Jewish history. 

This fast day also inaugurates a period of public morning called the “Three Weeks” leading up to Tisha B’av. During this period observant Jews may not get married. Hair cuts and shaving is also prohibited during this period. Many Ashenazim also refrain from eating meat and drinking wine from the first of Av to Tisha B’av. On each of the Sabbaths that fall during the “Three Weeks” , a special haftarah is read, the Three of Calamity, dark prophecies from Jeremiah 1 and 2 and Isaiah 1, alluding to the destruction that will befall Israel. 

This is not a 24-hour fast, like Yom Kippur or Tisha B’av.  It begins with sunrise and ends with sunset. In light of the current obstacles to peace in the Middle East today, we can also do our part here by observing this fast day in support of our brethren in Israel. 

The three weeks of mourning bring to us spiritual reflections as well as historic recollections. In the heat of summer, the soul, like all of nature is in the expansive state—reaching out in its search for growth. After having just stood at Sinai (Shavuot) and the receiving of the Law, the Israelites continue on their forty-year expedition through the wilderness. All during the journey they grumbled about pleasures they left behind in Egypt, a perfectly human trait: to mourn the loss of what they once had. Jews, for centuries, have also mourned the breaking of the Tablets and the destruction of each of the two Temples. On another level, we also have what to mourn about—lost possessions, childhood moments, family, friends, opportunities and so much more that we wish we could retrieve. 

This period is an appropriate time for all Jews to mourn what we have lost.  Many of the customs of mourning are in effect during this period, which gives us the opportunity to look deeply into our lives and mourn for what we once had. Mourning requires that we attentively observe our feelings of what has departed from our lives. There’s not much else to do but observe the feelings as they arise without fleeing from them. The more diligently you’re willing to face the feelings, the sooner they will depart from your life. The feelings that accompany loss are often painful, but the effort of making full use of these weeks of grieving is highly cathartic and purifying. The “Three Weeks” is an ideal opportunity for us to heal as the entire community of Israel goes through the process together.

Historical Events Occurring on the 17th of Tammuz with references to the Talmud tractate Taanit (Fasts)
1. The Two Tablets of the Ten Commandments were broken: Taanit 26a-b, 28b
2. The bringing of the Daily Offering was suspended: Taanit 26b, 28b
3. Jerusalem was invaded, in the Destruction of the Second Temple: Taanit 26b, 28b
4. In the Destruction of the First Temple, Jerusalem was invaded on the 9th of Tammuz: Rosh HaShanah 18b; Taanit 28b
5. Apostimus [publically] burned the Torah: Taanit 26b, 28b
6. An idol was set up in the Inner Room of the Temple [by the Jews-Gittin 7a]: Taanit 26b, 28b-29a
7. In the previous case, 2 idols were set up, and one fell on the other and broke off its arm: Taanit 28b-29a
 
How we traditionally observe the 17th of Tammuz

   1. No eating or drinking is permitted from the break of dawn, until dusk.
   2. Pregnant and nursing women - and others whose health would be adversely affected - are exempted from the fast.
   3. Should the day coincide with Shabbat, the fast is delayed until Sunday.
   4. Bathing, anointing, and wearing leather shoes are all permissible.
   5. The "Aneinu" prayer is inserted into the Amidah of Shacharis and Mincha by the chazan. Individuals insert it in Mincha only.
   6. Penitential prayers and "Avinu Malkeinu" are recited.
   7. Exodus 32:11, in which the "13 Attributes of Mercy" are mentioned, is read at both the morning and afternoon services.