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Halacha of Fast DaysRav Dovid gives a daily halacha at the Wall Street Synagogue in Lower Manhattan.This series covers public Fast Days. |
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10 Av 5770 | listen |
Halachic Noon
(14:34)
The time of halachic noon has consequences on the 10th of Av.
Sources: Igros Moshe OC 4:62
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8 Av 5770 | listen |
Destruction, Mourning, and Redemption
(12:24)
By mourning on Tisha b'Av, we create the foundation of Redemption.
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4 Av 5770 | listen |
Out of Destruction, the Redemption is Born
(14:16)
The source of our Redemption was established before the destruction of Tisha b'Av.
Sources: Tosefta Taanit 3:9; Bereishis Rabbasi Vayetze 131; Mak. 24a
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3 Av 5770 | listen |
The Destruction of Beitar
(14:50)
The massacre of the residents of Beitar is the 4th of the five tragedies listed by the Mishna as occuring on the 9th of Av.
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1 Av 5770 | listen |
The Destruction of the Second Temple: Sinat Chinam
(13:02)
Hatred among Jews is a constant cause of our destruction.
Sources: Taanit 29a; Yoma 9b; HaEmek Davar, Introduction to Breishis; Josephus, Antiquities 20:8
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26 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
Conceptualizing the Magnitude of Our Sins and the Magnitude of Our Destruction
(16:39)
We cannot understand either the depth of what we did wrong or the depth of the destruction of our Holy Temple.
Sources: Isa. 31:16; Metzudat David, Isa. 31:16; Gittin 57b; Lev Eliyahu I:63
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25 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Spilling of Innocent Blood
(15:42)
The second cause of the destruction of the first Beis HaMikdash.
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24 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Mourning of Tisha B'Av
(14:45)
Understanding the depth of mourning on Tisha B'Av.
Sources: Introduction to Eicha Rabba; 2 Kings 25:5-7, 21; Yoma 9b
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19 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Spiritual Roots of Tisha B'Av
(13:51)
The origin of Tisha B'Av goes back to the sin of the spies...
Sources: Yerushalmi Yoma 1:1; Mishna Taanis 4:6; Midrash Tanchuma Shelach 21
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18 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Spiritual Roots of the 17th of Tamuz
(14:46)
The spiritual origin of the 17th of Tamuz pre-date the golden calf by some 1500 years.
Sources: Seder Olam Rabba 4; Gen. 8:4-13
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17 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The 17th of Tamuz
(7:32)
More details of the 17th of Tamuz.
Sources: Taanit 29a
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13 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Breaching of the City Walls
(15:06)
Also: the cessation of the daily offering; the burning of the Torah.
Sources: Taanit 28b
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12 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Smashing of the Tablets
(16:11)
How do we know that the tablets were smashed on the 17th of Tamuz?
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10 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
The Mitzvah to Fast
(14:47)
What is the Torah source for declaring a public fast day?
Sources: MT Taaniyot 1:1-4
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9 Tamuz 5770 | listen |
What time does a fast day end?
(13:28)
Rav Moshe defines the end time for rabbinic fasts based on the various opinions on when nightfall comes.
Sources: Igros Moshe OC 4:62
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7 Tishrei 5770 | listen |
Customs of Yom Kippur
(18:16)
On Yom Kippur, we set a beautiful table and dress like angels.
Sources: OC 610:4; MB 610:7-18; Baer Heitev 610:1,3
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5 Tishrei 5770 | listen |
Lighting Candles for Yom Kippur
(10:37)
The mitzvah of lighting candles for Yom Kippur.
Sources: OC 610:1-3; MB 610:1-8
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4 Tishrei 5770 | listen |
Treating Sickness on a Public Fast Day
(8:44)
What do you do if you need to take medicine on a public fast day?
Sources: OC 328:2,9, 618:1
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14 Av 5769 | listen |
Lessons from Tisha B'Av: Creating a Culture of Honesty
(16:52)
Issues we should each address to become the Holy Nation we can be...
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10 Av 5769 | listen |
Lessons from Tisha B'Av
(17:32)
Reflections on Tisha B'Av: what should we learn from the fast?
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8 Av 5769 | listen |
Tisha B'Av that Falls on Thursday
(17:16)
A review of mourning customs on Tisha B'Av, and the special leniencies of lifting mourning to prepare for Shabbos when Tisha B'Av falls on Thursday.
Sources: OC 558:1; MB 558:1-3
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25 Tamuz 5769 | listen |
Loneliness During the Three Weeks
(15:04)
During the Three Weeks, we don't simply mourn; rather, we long for Hashem and experience our deep loneliness
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17 Tamuz 5769 | listen |
Jewish Resistance and Nazi Gun Laws
(12:55)
The 17th of Tamuz, Self-Defense, and "Never Again."
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10 Tevet 5769 | listen |
Selichos for the 10th of Tevet
(9:35)
Selichos for Asara b'Tevet focus on three tragedies that occured during the month.
Sources: II Kings 25
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9 Tevet 5769 | listen |
The Loss of Yerushalayim
(15:11)
A brief history of the events that brought about the first downfall of Yerushalayim. What caused the Jewish people to lose the Holy City, and what can we learn from those events about what is taking place in Eretz Yisroel today?
Sources: 2 Kings 16-24
In memory of Tamar Rivkah bas Sheur Zalman on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
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5 Elul 5768 | listen |
Chinuch for Yom Kippur; Chinuch for Teshuva
(17:19)
What are a child's obligations with regard to Yom Kippur and the Teshuva process? Does an adult need to do teshuva for the indiscretions of his or her youth? What about a ba'al teshuva?
Sources: OC 343:1 (Rama); MB 343:6; Ch"A 66; Yoma 8:4
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7 Av 5768 | listen |
Tisha B'Av's Inner Meaning
(13:17)
The significance of Tisha b'Av goes beyond fasting and even beyond mourning. What are we to learn from Tisha b'Av?
Sources: Ch"A 133:1;135:16
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5 Av 5768 | listen |
Tisha b'Av that Falls on Sunday: Overview and Summary
(15:23)
Summary and overview of all the special aspects of Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av.
Sources: Ch"A 135:23
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4 Av 5768 | listen |
Havdala on Motzei Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av
(15:22)
On motzei shabbos erev Tisha b'Av, we cannot drink wine. How do we make havdala?
Sources: OC 556; MB 556:1-5
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3 Av 5768 | listen |
Maariv on Motzei Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av
(14:57)
Sources: OC 559:1-2; MB 559:1-9
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29 Tamuz 5768 | listen |
Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av: Shalshudos and Maariv
(16:05)
On Shabbos, the third meal usual extends past sunset into the night; on Erev Tisha b'Av, we begin fasting at sunset. So what do we do when Erev Tisha b'Av falls on Shabbos?
Sources: OC 552:10;553:2; MB 552:23-24;553:6-7
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28 Tamuz 5768 | listen |
Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av: Meat, Wine, Learning Torah, and Tz"Tz
(14:51)
Sources: OC 551:9;553:2,12; MB 553:8-10,12
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27 Tamuz 5768 | listen |
Laundry, Haircuts, and Washing for the Shabbos before Tisha b'Av
(15:34)
In general, we don't launder or wear clean clothes, take haircuts, or wash during the nine days. What about lichvod shabbat?
Sources: OC 551:3,16; MB 551:32,95-97
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26 Tamuz 5768 | listen |
Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av
(13:20)
On Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, do we read the haftarah for Rosh Chodesh or for the Tlat d'Puranuta? Also: the brachot for the haftorah and musaf on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh.
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14 Tamuz 5768 | listen |
Overview of the Three Weeks
(5:01)
Overview and summary of the history and halachot of the Three Weeks
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3 Sivan 5768 | listen |
Havdala following Yom Tov
(15:13)
We make havdala following Yom Tov, but we don't include the candle or spices. Why?
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3 Iyar 5768 | listen |
Kiddush Lavana and Fast Days
(17:18)
Kiddush Lavana is ideally said on Motzei Shabbos or Motzei Yom Tov. What about after a fast day? This shiur discusses Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av, Asara B'Tevet, Ta'anit Ester, and other Taaniot.
Sources: OC 426:2; MB 426:7-11; Beur Halacha d.h. "v'Lo kodem Yom HaKippurim"
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9 Tevet 5768 | listen |
What if you forget aneinu on a fast day?
(14:55)
One who forgets aneinu on a fast day does not go back to insert it. But the halacha is quite different for an individual as compared to the shaliach tzibbur.
Sources: OC 119:4; MB 119:16-19
In memory of Tamar Rivkah bas Sheur Zalman on the occasion of her yahrzeit.
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13 Tishrei 5768 | listen |
Between Yom Kippur and Sukkos
(11:51)
After Yom Kippur, we rush to do several mitzvot, among them building the sukkah. We also leave out tachnun as the days until Sukkos have a quasi Yom Tov status. What is the connection between these themes?
Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Moshe ben Ester Ruchel.
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7 Tishrei 5768 | listen |
Shortening or Skipping Prayers on Erev Yom Kippur
(7:57)
We eliminate several prayers on Erev Yom Kippur, including LaMinatzeach, Mizmor L'Todah, and Tachnun -- though each is eliminated for a different reason. Slichot are shortened and Avinu Malkeinu is skipped.
Sources: OC 604:2; MB 604:3-5
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6 Tishrei 5768 | listen |
Eating on Erev Yom Kippur
(15:39)
Most of us eat on the day before Yom Kippur to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fast. But it is actually a mitzvah to eat on Erev Yom Kippur. Why is that?
Sources: OC 604:1; MB 604:1-2
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28 Elul 5767 | listen |
Making the Yomim Noraim Relevant
(51:47)
Join Rav Dovid for a corporate "Lunch and Learn" discussion on relating to the High Holidays in our modern times. What makes the Yomim Noraim relevant for us today? Is this just a bunch of "New Year's Resolutions" that, like all other such resolutions, will be forgotten within days of Yom Kippur? How should we relate to Rosh HaShanah, and why do these Holidays occur back-to-back on the calendar?
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29 Av 5767 | listen |
Yom Kippur Katan
(9:56)
Some people fast every Erev Rosh Chodesh for Yom Kippur Katan. What's it all about?
Sources: OC 417:1; MB 417:4
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8 Av 5767 | listen |
Haircuts for Mourners; Laundry for Children
(11:05)
There are leniencies in the restrictions regarding haircuts during the three weeks for mourners just coming out of shloshim and for children's clothing. Also: avoiding the evil forces that lurk about during the three weeks.
Sources: OC 551:14-15,18; MB 551:81-87
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5 Av 5767 | listen |
Kiddush Levana is Recited after Tisha Av; Restrictions on Meat and Wine
(15:14)
Kiddush Levana is a time of joy, so it is delayed until after Tisha B'Av. Meat and wine are not eaten during the Nine Days, but what about at a seudat mitzvah?
Sources: OC 551:8,10; MB 551:54-55,63-78
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2 Av 5767 | listen |
Summary of Halachot of the 9 Days; Details on Laundering and New Clothes
(16:12)
An overview of all the halachot appertaining to the Nine Days from Rosh Chodesh Av until Tisha B'Av, plus the details on laundering, new clothes, and freshly-pressed clothes.
Sources: OC 551:6; MB 551:44-45
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1 Av 5767 | listen |
Tragedies of the Month of Av
(7:39)
Many tragedies befell the Jewish people in the month of Av, from the sin of the spies to the death of Aharon HaCohen.
Sources: OC 580:1-2; MB 580:3
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17 Tamuz 5767 | listen |
Haftarah Readings During the Three Weeks
(1:15)
The tlata d'puranuta -- three calamaties.
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2 Iyar 5767 | listen |
The Fasts of BaHa"B
(22:34)
The fasts of BaHa"B are held twice a year following both Pesach and Sukkos. This shiur explores the reasons behind the fasts and brings out the relevant halachot of BaHa"B.
Sources: OC 492:1; Tur 492; BY 492; MB 492:1-6
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8 Tevet 5767 | listen |
The Fasts of the 8th and 9th of Tevet
(10:51)
The 8th and 9th of Tevet are among the lesser known fast days that are, in general, publicly observed.
Sources: OC 580:1-2; MB 580:13
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29 Av 5766 | listen |
The Four Levels of Transgression
(12:47)
The four levels of transgression and the requirements of kaporah for each.
Sources: MT Teshuva 1:4
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28 Av 5766 | listen |
Teshuva and Yom Kippur
(12:43)
Teshuva and the se'ir hamishtaleach of Yom Kippur.
Sources: MT Teshuva 1:2-3
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13 Av 5766 | listen |
Mourning the Site of Jerusalem Destroyed
(14:25)
The obligation to rend one's garments at the sight of the destroyed Cities of Judah, Jerusalem, and the Temple.
Sources: OC 561:1-5; MB 561:2,5-6,10-13
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10 Av 5766 | listen |
Restrictions on the 10th of Av
(8:23)
Restrictions on meat, wine, shaving, haircuts, and washing continue into the 10th of Av, though there are leniencies when the 10th falls on Friday.
Sources: OC 558:1; MB 558:1,3
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7 Av 5766 | listen |
Nachem, Aneinu, Selichot, and Tachnun on Tisha B'Av
(14:37)
Nachem, a special prayer for Tisha B'Av is added to boneh Yerushalayim. Aneinu is added as on all fast days. There are no selichot nor is tachnun recited, both due to the fact that Tisha B'Av is a moed.
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8 Av 5766 | listen |
The Severity and Importance of Tisha B'Av
(13:12)
Summary of the hilchot Tisha B'Av.
Sources: MB 549:2; OC 554:25
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6 Av 5766 | listen |
Tallis and Tefillin on Tisha B'Av
(9:19)
Tallis and tefillin are not worn at shacharit onTisha B'Av. Why? Also: sleeping on the floor or without a pillow.
Sources: OC 555:1-2; MB 555:1,3,8; Lam. 2:17
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2 Av 5766 | listen |
Prohibitions on Work and Greeting Others on Tisha B'Av
(12:41)
Take the day off if possible, and avoid greeting others.
Sources: OC 554:23-24,20-21; MB 554:48-50,41-42
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3 Av 5766 | listen |
The Night of Tisha B'Av
(11:04)
Ma'ariv, Eicha, and sitting on the floor.
Sources: OC 559:2-3; MB 559:4-7,10-11,13
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28 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Prohibitions on Annointing and Shoes on Tisha B'Av
(10:34)
The parameters of the prohibitions on annointing with oil and wearing shoes.
Sources: OC 554:15-17; MB 554:30-31,34-35
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29 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Marital Relations; Working on Tisha B'Av
(12:10)
Marital relations are forbidden, but does the prohibition have all the stringencies of niddah? Introduction to the prohibition of working on Tisha B'Av.
Sources: OC 554:18,22; MB 554:37,43-45
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24 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Torah Study on Tisha b'Av
(13:52)
The first of the five afflictions: Torah study. What is prohibited, what is allowed?
Sources: OC 554:2-4; MB 554:3-8
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25 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Tisha B'Av: Fasting Leniencies; Restrictions on Washing
(15:55)
On Tisha b'Av, the restrictions on eating, drinking, and washing are identical to the restrictions on Yom Kippur.
Sources: OC 554:5-11; MB 554:16,21-22
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23 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Accepting the Fast of Tisha b'Av
(13:43)
The five afflictions of Tisha b'Av and the acceptance of the fast.
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22 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
What to Eat at the Seudah HaMafseket
(11:13)
A variety of (raw) fruits, cheeses, and dairy products are permitted, though a mourner's meal is best. Also: why do we skip tachnun at mincha?
Sources: Taanit 30a; OC 552:4-8,12; Baer Heitev 552:5; MB 552:15-18
L'ilui nishmat Chaim ben Micha'el on the occasion of his yahrzeit.
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21 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Forbidden Foods for Seudah HaMafseket
(11:13)
The Seudah HaMafseket is a simple meal, with one simple cooked dish and no wine.
Sources: OC 552:1-3; MB 552:1,3-6,11; Shaar HaTziun 552:1
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17 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
The Calamities of the 17th of Tamuz
(3:38)
The Talmud lists five calamities that befell the Jewish People on Shiva Asar b'Tamuz.
Sources: OC 549; MB 549:2
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18 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Introduction to the Seudah HaMafseket
(10:49)
What is the seudah hamafseket eaten on Erev Tisha b'Av?
Sources: OC 552:9; MB 552:20,22
L'ilui nishmat Avraham ben Leib on the occasion of his 25th yahrzeit.
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16 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Washing, Bathing, and Shehechiyanu
(14:04)
Prohibitions on washing and bathing during the Three Weeks. Avoiding missing opportunities to say shehechiyanu.
Sources: OC 551:16-17; MB 551:88,90,92,94,96-100; Beur Halacha d.h. V'litzorech mitzvah
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15 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Meat and Wine; Summary of Mourning in the Three Weeks
(10:27)
Prohibitions on meat and wine; more on haircuts and shaving; summary of the mourning customs of the Three Weeks.
Sources: OC 551:4,7,9,11-13; MB 551:36-37,40,49,58-59,79-80
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14 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Haircuts, Laundry, and New Clothes During the Three Weeks
(15:05)
Haircuts and clean or new clothes are avoided as a sign of mourning.
Sources: OC 551:3,5; MB 551:20-22,25,32,44-45
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11 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Diminishing Joy: Business, Engagements, and Weddings During the Three Weeks
(13:47)
During the Nine Days or Three Weeks, we diminish our joy in all endeavors, whether for business or pleasure.
Sources: OC 551:2; MB 551:11-19
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10 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
Introduction to the Three Weeks
(9:17)
Introduction to the mourning period leading up to Tisha b'Av.
Sources: Taanit 26b; OC 551:1; MB 551:2,9
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9 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
The Differences Between Tisha B'Av and Other Fasts
(13:12)
An overview of the four fasts: the 10th of Tevet, the 17th of Tamuz, the 9th of Av, and the 3rd of Tishrei.
Sources: OC 550; MB 550:1,4,6-10
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7 Tamuz 5766 | listen |
The 9th of Tamuz
(10:14)
The 9th of Tamuz is a fast day for a ba'al nefesh. Why is it not a fast day for the rest of us?
Sources: OC 549; MB 549:1,4
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2 Adar 5766 | listen |
Ta'anit Esther (The Fast of Esther)
(8:28)
Why do we fast? Who is obligated to fast?
Sources: OC 686:2-3; MB 686:2,3,5,8; Shaar HaTziun 686:11
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13 Tevet 5766 | listen |
Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs
(8:54)
Rav Dovid tells the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs, rabbinic leaders killed by the Romans during the Hadrianic persecution. This emotional story lays the ground for deep theological concepts concerning Torah, martyrdom, and justice.
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10 Tevet 5766 | listen |
What if you accidentally eat on a fast day?
(3:10)
What if you accidentally eat on a public fast day? This is one of the most commonly misunderstood halachot of fast days. Rav Dovid clarifies based on the Mishnah Brurah.
Sources: MB 549:3; OC 568
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9 Tevet 5766 | listen |
Asara b'Tevet: Why do we continue to fast today?
(8:45)
Why do we continue to fast today? Who must fast? What about someone who is sick? Pregnant? Nursing?
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6 Tevet 5766 | listen |
The History of the Tenth of Tevet
(9:34)
The History of the Tenth of Tevet as found in II Kings chapter 25.
Sources: OC 549; II Kings 25
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