The Tenth of Tevet - A Minor Fast Day

Although Yom Kippur is perhaps the best known and most widely observed Jewish fast day, there are five additional fast days on the Jewish calendar, four of which relate in some fashion to the destruction of the Holy Temples in Jerusalem. One of these is the 10th of Tevet.

There are two major and four minor fasts on the Jewish calendar. The major fasts are Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day in Judaism and Tisha b’Av which translates literally to the 9th of the month of Av on which we mourn the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem as well as a number of other tragedies which have occurred throughout the centuries. The four minor fasts are Tzom Gedoliah on the 3rd of Tishrei, the day immediately following Rosh Hashanah, the 10th of Tevet, Ta’anit Esther which generally occurs on the day before Purim (the 13th of Adar) unless Purim falls on a Sunday in which case it is moved up to the proceeding Thursday and the 17th of Tammuz.

The 10th of Tevet marks the date on which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his men began a siege on Jerusalem which would eventually culminate in the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E. and the 70-year Babylonian exile. The events of the 10th of Tevet are mentioned explicitly in chapter 25 of II Kings as well as in the Book of Ezekiel. The 10th of Tevet is also significant insofar as it can fall out on a Friday. This is significant because with the exception of Yom Kippur, fast days are moved if they will conflict either with Shabbat or with preparing for Shabbat. The reason that the 10th of Tevet is an exception to this is that in the Book of Zechariah, the 10th of Tevet is referred to as “HaYom” or “The Day” which was interpreted to mean that the 10th of Tevet could not be observed on another date. The 10th of Tevet has gained newfound significance in the State of Israel because it marks the date on which Kaddish is said for all of those whose day of death is not known. Many view the 10th of Tevet is being a more appropriate date on which to commemorate the Holocaust or Shoah.

In contrast to major fast days, in which a full twenty-five hour fast is observed, minor fasts are observed from dawn until nightfall. There are no restrictions other than eating and drinking. Anyone who is ill is exempted from fasting as are pregnant and nursing women.

There are several additions made to the daily prayers in the synagogue on minor fast days. The Torah is read on these days both during the Shacharit (morning services) and Minchah (afternoon services). In Ashkenazi communities, a haftarah or portion from the prophets is read at Minchah as well. Additionally, penitential prayers, called selichot are said in the morning as is Avinu Malkeinu—Our Father, Our King—a prayer most commonly associated with the High Holidays. In the Amidah or standing prayer, which is the most central prayer in every prayer service, an additional paragraph, called Aneinu—answer us—is added.