Every year, the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz (transliterated to Shivah Asar B’Tammuz) invites the Jewish community to pause and reflect. The fast day is a moment of collective mourning that marks the beginning of a somber period known as The Three Weeks. But what exactly is the Fast of Tammuz, and why does it hold such weight in our calendar?
The 17th of Tammuz is a minor fast day on the Jewish calendar, observed from sunrise to nightfall. The fast is considered “minor” because it’s shorter than the “major” fasts like Tisha B’Av and Yom Kippur, but The Fast of Tammuz carries a deep significance in Jewish history.
According to the Talmud, five tragic events occurred on this day, each symbolizing a significant spiritual rupture in the history of the Jewish people:
These events mark moments of deep loss and desecration, each one shaking the foundations of Jewish life and worship. The 17th of Tammuz reminds us of those cracks in our spiritual armor and calls us to repair what’s been broken.
The 17th of Tammuz is observed as a day of introspection and repentance. Like other fast days, it is meant to stir the soul, not the body. While we refrain from eating and drinking, the deeper purpose is to turn inward. To examine our actions, our intentions, and our commitment to rebuilding both personally and communally.
Unlike Yom Kippur or Tisha B’Av, the fast begins at dawn and concludes at nightfall, making it more accessible for many to observe.
If you find yourself asking what time the Fast of Tammus starts—or more importantly, when it ends—we recommend checking Chabad’s Zmanim tool.
Perhaps more than a standalone day, the 17th of Tammuz is notable for what it ushers in: The Three Weeks. This period, also known as Bein HaMetzarim, stretches from the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, as well as countless other tragedies throughout Jewish history.
During The Three Weeks, many Jews adopt customs of semi-mourning: refraining from weddings, live music, and haircuts. As the days progress, the sense of loss deepens, culminating in the full fast of Tisha B’Av.
In a world far removed from the Temple era, one might wonder: Why do we still fast? Why continue to observe the 17th of Tammuz?
Because the destruction was never just about buildings. It was about brokenness in the Jewish soul, in the unity of our people, and in our relationship with God. Fasting today is an act of memory, but it is also an act of hope. It’s a spiritual protest against complacency, and a call to rebuild—within ourselves and our communities.
Whether this is your first time fasting on the 17th of Tammuz, or a day you’ve marked for decades, may it be a meaningful one. May it help pave the way not only toward mourning, but ultimately toward comfort, healing, and redemption.
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}