Questions in regards to Taanis Yochid
Question
Igenerally am not Mekabel Taanis Yochid, but I feel I may need to do so for a Tzoroh in my household which we already were mekabel all types of kabolos (torah, mitzvos, tzedaka. My questions are. 1) what is the value of Fasting till after Mincha Gedola in these cases? I am a Physician and want to keep my mind clear during the day. 2) can one be mekabel the Taanis al pi tnai to go till after Mincha gedola and then see if can be mashlim? Will that have the same effect as kabolas tannis? 3) should the Nusach of the kabbala be Different in these situations? 4) Should the nusach of the Aneinu be different? (yom tzom..)
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
We are saddened to hear about the tzara you are experiencing and we daven to only hear good news from this.
The Gemara (Taanis 12/OC 562:1) says: “Any fast that does not extend until dark is not considered to be a fast.” In order to do a kabbalt ta'nis one would have to take upon himself a proper fast, the fast must be from dawn until the appearance of the stars. Even if one decides to do a half-day fast, there would be no need for kabbolas taanis the day before. One would say "aneinu" at mincha for a half-day fast according to the Ashkenazi custom, however according to the Sephardi custom one may not recite "aneinu".
Avoiding fasting is especially true in your case considering your important work which requires you to be alert and clear minded.
It appears that you have already accepted upon yourselves many good kabbolos. Let’s continue to daven for good news.