“Since I saw that there are religious people in the military who mentioned it’s especially difficult for them not to fast on the tenth of Tevet, I decided to fast myself. I know there are no deductions (in Heaven), but it still seems meaningful to me.”
This was the short message written by Eyal Rozenman, a resident of Jerusalem who appears to be secular, and posted on Facebook on Thursday.
It has received with heartwarming responses. One soldier in the Israel Defense Forces sent the following to journalist and author Sivan Rahav-Meir:
“Shalom Sivan from a reserve unit in the south. Friday is the fast of the 10th of Tevet. Many will not fast because they are serving in the military, and I am among them.
“But I already heard about several people who said that they never fasted on this day in the past but they will try to fast tomorrow. In my eyes, this is significant. Where were we during the Yom Kippur fast and where are we today?
“The 10th of Tevet is the day on which the siege of Jerusalem began. The Babylonian enemy surrounded the walls of the city on the 10th of Tevet, broke through the walls on the 17th of Tammuz and, ultimately, on the 9th of Av, the Holy Temple was destroyed.
“We do not fast only to memorialize what happened, but also to rectify that event. To move forward together, toward building and not toward destruction.
“In our generation the 10th of Tevet has also been dedicated to the memory of Holocaust victims, including those who tragically never received a proper burial and whose date of murderous death is unknown. The 10th of Tevet has thus been called “The day of general Kaddish.”
“It appears to me that after the massacre on Simchat Torah we understand the value of every soul and every individual better than before, and appreciate how important it is to give everyone a proper Jewish burial.
“The recent victims of terror, more than a thousand dear people who were murdered, join the six million souls above on this day of general Kaddish.
“May these fast days turn into days of joy, may all those fasting have an easy fast, and may everyone hear good news.”
Ribbono Shel Olam, please look at your children.
Moshiach Now.
Am Yisrael Chai!
He wouldnt fast for Ahavas Hashem but he would fast for Ahavas Yisroel. So which is greater?
See Hayom Yom of 28 Nissan.
It depends on the context
Without the undertone of judgement. Hashem is judging Am Yisrael well enough. I don’t imagine He needs your assistance.
Ahavas Chinam will bring about the rebuilding of the 3rd Beit Hamikdash.
What prompts some people to be contentious no matter what is said or read? This man who had never fasted on Asarah B’Teves was moved to fast because a Tzahal soldier who is protecting our people and our country wanted to, but could not fast on Asarah B’ teves. Is that not enough to move this reader without negative comment? Oye…