The "Three Weeks" begin on the 17th of Tammuz, and end on the 9th of Av - both of which are days of fasting, according to Jewish Law and custom. Both Holy Temples were destroyed on the 9th of Av, some 2000 and 2500 years ago, respectively.
The 17th of Tammuz is a day of mourning because it marks the day the Romans broke down Jerusalem's walls, shortly before they laid waste to the city. In addition, it was the day that:
* Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai following the sin of the Golden Calf;
* the Priests were forced to suspend the First Temple's daily offerings, for lack of lambs;
* at some point during the Second Temple, a Roman general named Apustamos burned a Torah scroll;
* and an idolatrous image was brazenly placed in the Holy Temple.
"The purpose of a fast day," writes Rabbi Shraga Simmons for Aish HaTorah , "is to awaken our sense of loss over the destroyed Temple - and the subsequent Jewish journey into exile." Eating and drinking is not permitted until evening today, while some of the laws of mourning - such as no joyous public events or haircuts - are observed with increasing severity as the Three Weeks proceed.
Special prayers known as S'lichot are recited on the Fast of the 17 of Tammuz; on Tisha B'Av, they are known as Kinot and are much more numerous. Most of today's S'lichot recall the suffering of the Jewish People during the First Temple periods of conquest and destruction. Some of the passages have taken on timely significance in light of the latest war forced upon Israel:
"I was ill and trembling when... the viper of the north overran me...
"Rebuild the Temple, and bring us back within the borders of Carmel and Bashan, open Your eyes and take vengeance... Judge the cause of the mute, so that the destroyer shall pay for the day when the enemy prevailed and the city was breached...
"We rebelled against Him Who dwells in Heaven, therefore we were scattered in all directions, and our dancing was turned into lamentations.
"Let truth and peace cause the Fasts to be erased and turned into days of joy and gladness and festive occasions."
The 17th of Tammuz is a day of mourning because it marks the day the Romans broke down Jerusalem's walls, shortly before they laid waste to the city. In addition, it was the day that:
* Moses broke the tablets at Mount Sinai following the sin of the Golden Calf;
* the Priests were forced to suspend the First Temple's daily offerings, for lack of lambs;
* at some point during the Second Temple, a Roman general named Apustamos burned a Torah scroll;
* and an idolatrous image was brazenly placed in the Holy Temple.
"The purpose of a fast day," writes Rabbi Shraga Simmons for Aish HaTorah , "is to awaken our sense of loss over the destroyed Temple - and the subsequent Jewish journey into exile." Eating and drinking is not permitted until evening today, while some of the laws of mourning - such as no joyous public events or haircuts - are observed with increasing severity as the Three Weeks proceed.
Special prayers known as S'lichot are recited on the Fast of the 17 of Tammuz; on Tisha B'Av, they are known as Kinot and are much more numerous. Most of today's S'lichot recall the suffering of the Jewish People during the First Temple periods of conquest and destruction. Some of the passages have taken on timely significance in light of the latest war forced upon Israel:
"I was ill and trembling when... the viper of the north overran me...
"Rebuild the Temple, and bring us back within the borders of Carmel and Bashan, open Your eyes and take vengeance... Judge the cause of the mute, so that the destroyer shall pay for the day when the enemy prevailed and the city was breached...
"We rebelled against Him Who dwells in Heaven, therefore we were scattered in all directions, and our dancing was turned into lamentations.
"Let truth and peace cause the Fasts to be erased and turned into days of joy and gladness and festive occasions."