10th of Tevet – A Nation Under Siege

Question

Dear Rabbi, I recently heard that there is a Jewish fast day shortly after Chanukah. Would you please tell me more about it? Thank you.

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    The Tenth day of the Hebrew month Tevet, known as “Asara b’Tevet,” is a fast day. The fast is observed from morning until night. This year (2021) the fast is on Tuesday, on December the 14th.

    Historically, the fast commemorates the day that the Babylonians first laid siege to Jerusalem, 423 BCE, cutting it off from the outside world. This not only laid the groundwork for the destruction of the Holy Temple but also caused horrific suffering for the besieged population of Jerusalem, resulting in many thousands who died from starvation and disease.

    In recent times, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel chose to observe the Tenth of Tevet as a “General Kaddish Day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whom lack identifiable yahrtzeits (anniversaries of their death).

    It is a day for both personal and national introspection, with the goal of bettering our ways with hopes and prayers for a brighter future.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team