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Nip it in the bud
Tomorrow marks the fast day of the Tenth of Teves on which Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylonia laid siege on our city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). The siege lasted 30 months until eventually the walls of the city were breached and three weeks later the Temple was destroyed. At each of these turning points a fast day was designated. Hence, we fast on the 10th of Teves in commemoration of the siege, on the 17th of Tamuz in commemoration of the breach of the city walls and on the 9th of Av in commemoration of the actual destruction.
There is no significance to the siege of Yerushalayim other than it was the beginning of the destruction. If we are commemorating the destruction of the Temple why do we fast three times? Why have our Sages marked each stage with its own fast day?
It is noteworthy that when our Sages designed the calendar they were careful not to allow any fast days occur on Friday. This was done out of respect for the Shabbos. It diminishes the honor of Shabbos to begin the Shabbos starving for food. Nevertheless, today's fast day is an exception. On this fast day we may be fast even on Friday. There is one opinion that if the 10th of Teves occurred on Shabbos we would fast on Shabbos as well and yet when the 9th of Av occurs on Shabbos we push it off to Sunday! Should not the 9th of Av when the Temple was actually destroyed be more commemorated than the 10th of Teves when only the siege began?
Perhaps we ought to ask ourselves what is the purpose of fasting. Throughout Jewish thought the notion of fasting is the external component of very deep internal introspection which we refer to as teshuvah. Teshuvah is the process by which we change ourselves to become better people. Through the teshuvah process a habitual cynical slanderer can become the most respectful sensitive individual. This process can turn an immoral decadent into a religious righteous individual. Although teshuvah is primarily a metamorphosis of one's internal nature, nevertheless, it includes fasting.
The reason for this is because the more one distances himself from the physical indulgences the closer he comes to gaining control over his physical tendencies. And once he gains control over these tendencies he is able to affect change in himself.
When our Sages designated fast days to commemorate the various tragedies that dot our calendar they did so to inspire us to do teshuvah. Our Sages understood in their infinite wisdom that on those dates our teshuvah has a special impact and to take advantage this they instructed us to fast. It is in fact mentioned that on every fast day teshuvah should be practiced.
Let us now attempt to address why our Sages identified three fasts to commemorate the destruction.
There are three stages in the sentencing of a criminal. The first is when he is brought before the judge, the second is when the verdict is reached and the third is when it is actually carried out. At which point does the defendant have the best chance to change his destiny? Certainly at the first stage where the case is first being considered!
Considering that teshuvah will be more effective in changing our plight on the first stage of sentencing we do not want to push it off. Therefore, although the beginning stage of laying siege seems almost insignificant compared to the actual destruction, nevertheless, it is specifically at that early stage when our teshuvah will be most effective.
The Chasam Sofer, a great Torah Sage who lived 200 years ago, indicates that on the 10th day of Teves of every year HaShem reconsiders whether to bring back the Temple this year or not. The fasting we will do tomorrow is not mere commemoration, it is a plea and a prayer that HaShem bring us back to Him and bring His Temple back to us.
May we merit to see the rebuilding of His Beis haMikdosh and His return to Yerushalayim and join in that great joy for which we so anxiously await.
Have an easy fast and a wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind
