Laws of the Fast of the Tenth of Teves
This Sunday Dec. 27, 2009 is the Fast of the Tenth of Teves
1. On fast days at Mincha, the Torah portion from the morning is read again, followed by the Haftorah, which is the section beginning with the words, Dirshu HaShem, from Yeshayahu Chapter 55. The Haftorah also discusses repenting and becoming close to HaShem. Sephardic Jews do not read the Haftorah on fast days.
2. Those who are fasting include the passage Aneinu (answer us) in the blessing of Shema Koleinu during the Mincha Shemonah Esrei. Sephardic Jews also recite Aneinu in the morning Shemonah Esrei.
(Shaarei Halachah)
A One Minute a Day Torah Thought !
"The posuk says "Al Taazu" do not become sad. Being broken hearted is not the same as being sad. Sadness makes one lifeless and stone-like. On the contrary, a broken heart is at least responsive. For this reason, Yosef insructed his brothers to not become sad, because then there can be no positive outcome to the entire affair.".
(The Baal HaTanya - Sefer Torah Tavlin) |