By: Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Freeman
History-
The Gemara (Taanis 26b) lists 5 tragedies that took place on Shiva Asar B’Tamuz:
- The first luchos were broken in response to the sin of the egel.
- The korban tamid was terminated during the period of the 1st Beis Hamikdash.
- The walls of Yerushalayim were breached leading to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash three weeks later.
- Apostomus publicly burned a Sefer Torah during the period of the 2ⁿᵈ Beis Hamikdash.
- An idol was placed in the Beis Hamikdash.
Who is obligated-
- Men and women above the age of bar or bat mitzvah are obligated (S.A O.C 550:1)
- Children (even those who have reached the age of chinuch for aveilus at age 9) are exempt. Some encourage only feeding them basic foods such as bread and water (Mishna Berura 550:5). Others only encourage refraining from giving them treats (Birkei Yosef O.C 549:1 and Kaf Hachaim O.C 549:9). If they took a treat, one does not need to take it away from them (Shu”t Bear Moshe 8:95).
- A choleh she’ain bo sakana is exempt (Mishna Berura 550:4).
- A choleh who is permitted to break the fast, some poskim require only drinking or eating shiurim (pachos pachos mi’kishiur- less than 1 ounce every 9 minutes) if possible (Mekor Chaim). However, most poskim say one can eat and drink regularly (Avnei Nezer O.C 540, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik cited in Moadim Uzmanim 4:335). However, if one is currently healthy but has been advised to eat or drink in order to prevent becoming weak, all the poskim agree that one should eat and drink only in shiurim (Ohr Letzion 3:29[10]).
- Elderly - An elderly person whose doctor is of the opinion that fasting will be detrimental to their health should not fast (Aruch Hashulchan O.C 550:1 and Kaf Hachaim O.C 550:6).
- Pregnant women- Sephardim exempt in all scenarios (S.A O.C 554:5). Whereas Ashkenazim are only exempt if they will become weak or sick (Rema O.C 550:1 and Mishna Berura 550:5).
- Postpartum - A woman within thirty days of giving birth is exempt (Rema O.C 550:1 and Mishna Berura 550:5).
- Nursing - She has the same status as a pregnant woman. However, if she is concerned that if she fasts, she will not have enough milk for the baby, she does not need to fast.
- An individual not fasting should not overindulge (Rema O.C 550:1 and Mishna Berura 550:5). Also, one whose illness is not apparent should only eat in private (Shaarei Ephraim Kriyas haTorah 1:10).
Rinsing-
- One should not rinse their mouth (S.A O.C 567:3). If one is very uncomfortable, they may rinse their mouth with a small amount of water while leaning over the sink to avoid swallowing some of the water (Aruch Hashulchan O.C 567:3).
- One should not brush their teeth unless they are very uncomfortable. If one does feel a need to brush, they should avoid rinsing afterwards with water. But even this is allowed when necessary.
Medicine-
- One may take tasteless medicine (liquid, tablet, etc.). One should ideally swallow the pills without water. However, if this is too difficult, then a small amount of water (up to 1 ounce) may be used (Igros Moshe O.C 3:91).
Additional restrictions-
- Showering- Sephardim permit hot showers. Ashkenazim should ideally not take a hot shower (Mishna Berura 550:6). Washing one’s hands and face with hot water is permitted. A child may take a hot shower or a bath on a fast day.
- All opinions agree that the following activities are completely permissible on a fast day (S.A O.C 550:2): Wearing leather shoes, using deodorant and lotions, doing laundry and wearing freshly laundered clothes, marital relations.
Taken from the Kollel Avreichim Hollywood
