Fasting in Difficult Times

The Tenth of Teves

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Question

I am going through a stressful period at work, and it will be difficult for me to fast on the Tenth of Tevet. Is it possible to be lenient since the fast is not from the Torah?

Answer

Hello,
The obligation to fast on the Tenth of Tevet is established by the prophets (Zechariah 8) as the fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months, etc. The sages explained that these fasts are listed according to the order of the months from Nissan: the fast of the fourth month is the 17th of Tammuz, the fast of the fifth month is the 9th of Av, the fast of the seventh month is the Fast of Gedaliah, and the fast of the tenth month is the Tenth of Tevet. Therefore, anyone who is not ill or in a forced situation is obligated to fast and it is forbidden to breach this decree.

Source

Shulchan Aruch, Siman 549:1, 550:1, and Mishnah Berurah 549:1

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