Today is the fast day that falls on the seventeenth of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, the day when we commemorate the breaching of Jerusalem's walls by Babylonian forces, the day that, for many Jews stricter than I, begins the three weeks of mourning before Tisha b'Av. I am already hungry, but it will never do to think like that, so let's talk about the meaning and keeping of this day.
Sh'va Asar b'Tammuz is a minor fast, only sunup to sundown; it started while I was still asleep and will end at 9:14 tonight. I have decided to wear the kippah that I was saving for three specific days of the year on all fast days, for they all mourn something, as well as on Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.
On fast days, we add a prayer called "Avinu Malkeinu" to our morning and afternoon prayers. "Avinu Malkeinu" literally translates to "Our Father, Our King," and it is about how God loves us and guides us even through our sin. We pray for God to bring us back to Him.
Sh'va Asar b'Tammuz gears us up for the major (25 hour) fast of Tisha b'Av that comes three weeks later. Watch for a post on that closer to the time. In between, of course, we have Rosh Hodesh Av, the start of the Hebrew month of Av. Rosh Hodesh is always a happy occasion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- free_to_dream
- I am a bipolar, Jewish young adult (had my Hebrew birthday, the one I count, and turned 23 this past January) who also suffers from Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. I love life and I live for my best friends: they are my purpose and my reason for trying so hard. I remain passionately devoted to those I love; I will not let my disorders make me totally self-centered. I like to read, write, and sew. My Rabbinical school plans did not work out, and I am now hoping to go into the field of Early Childhood Education. Please note: I am currently maintaining only Carried in His Hands. Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for commenting on my blog! Please no hate speech or inappropriate language. Please remember to be polite. Thank you!