17th of Tammuz Fast: Common Halachic Questions and Practical Answers

Taking Medication During the Fast

Question:
I suffer from chronic high blood pressure and take daily medication. How should I observe the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz? May I take my pills with a glass of water and continue fasting afterward?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. You may drink water for the purpose of taking the medication. According to the basic halachic ruling, you are exempt from the fast.

Fasting During Pregnancy

Question:
My wife is in her second month of pregnancy. Is she required to fast?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. She should not fast.

Fasting While Performing Physically Demanding Work

Question:
As in previous years, I tried to take the day off from my job as a laborer on the fast day, but I was unsuccessful. How can I manage the fast?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. Begin the fast. If you experience unusual weakness beyond what is normal, you may drink. May God help you and spare you from having to work on that day.

Why Do We Fast on the 17th of Tammuz?

Question:
Shalom Rabbi. I would like to know why we observe the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz. Thank you.

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. We fast because five tragic events occurred on the 17th of Tammuz:

1. The First Tablets were shattered when Moses descended from Mount Sinai and saw the Golden Calf.

2. The daily Tamid offering ceased during the First Temple period because no lambs remained for sacrifice.

3. The walls of Jerusalem were breached before the destruction of the Second Temple.

4. The Torah was publicly burned by the wicked Apostomus.

5. An idol was placed in the Holy Temple.

Although the walls of Jerusalem were breached on the 9th of Tammuz during the destruction of the First Temple, the Sages did not establish two nearby fast days in order not to overburden the public. Therefore, the fast was set on the 17th of Tammuz, associated with the destruction of the Second Temple, which is considered more relevant to us.

Buying Gifts During the Three Weeks

Question:
May I buy gifts during the Three Weeks, including cosmetics and perfume, especially for my mother's birthday, which falls during this period? Also, may I clean the house as usual?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. You may buy gifts for your mother, as well as cosmetics, perfume, and household necessities. However, one should not purchase new clothing during this period, since it is customary to reduce activities that bring special joy. Cleaning the house as usual is permitted.

Is It Forbidden to Work on the 17th of Tammuz?

Question:
Shalom Rabbi. Is there any halachic prohibition against working on the 17th of Tammuz?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. There is no prohibition against going to work on this fast day.

Eating After the Fast Has Already Begun

Question:
I usually wake up early to eat before the fast begins, but this year I forgot to set my alarm and woke up half an hour after the fast had already started. What should I do? Is it better to eat and then fast the rest of the day, or not eat and end the fast early?

Answer:
The fast must be observed from beginning to end. Therefore, someone who knows in advance that they cannot complete the fast because of illness or extreme weakness is not obligated to fast at all. Hunger by itself is generally not considered a sufficient reason to avoid fasting, although some contemporary authorities are more lenient regarding women and minor fasts.

What If I Only Learned About the Fast After Eating?

Question:
I only found out about the fast after I had already eaten breakfast. Should I continue fasting for the rest of the day, or is there no point?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. Continue fasting for the remainder of the day. Even though you ate, the rest of the fast is still meaningful and obligatory. Eating does not invalidate the obligation to fast during the remaining hours of the day (Chazon Ovadia, Four Fasts, p. 22).

Studying for an Exam During a Fast

Question:
I have a university exam the day after the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz and another exam the day after Tisha B’Av. May I study on those days?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. You may study on the 17th of Tammuz. However, regular Torah study and enjoyable learning are restricted on Tisha B’Av, and studying secular subjects for an exam is generally discussed separately by halachic authorities.

Taking a Driving Test During the Three Weeks

Question:
Shalom Rabbi. Is there any issue with taking a driving test during the Three Weeks between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av?

Answer:
Shalom and blessings. There is no prohibition against taking a driving test during the Three Weeks. However, during the month of Av, it is traditionally considered a less favorable time for success, so some recommend avoiding important examinations if possible. Nevertheless, if necessary, one may certainly take the test.