Shiva Asar B’Tammuz - Nidcheh

Q. The fast of Shiva Asar B’Tammuz falls out on Shabbos. Since we may not fast on Shabbos, it is delayed until Sunday (nidcheh). When does the fast begin and when does it end? Is there any difference in this regard between a nidcheh and a regular year?

A. Although the rules are generally the same, there are a few differences between a fast which is a nidcheh and a regular year. If there is a Bris on a fast day which is nidcheh, the father, mother, mohel and sandek may eat after mincha (see Mishnah Berurah 559:35-36). Also, the Mishnah Berurah (Beiur Halacha 559: s.v. v’aino) writes that one who is not feeling well, even though he has not reached the point of being a choleh (i.e. needing to lie down), may break the fast on a ta’anis that is nidcheh.

For the most part though, the halachos are the same. One who intends to eat on the morning of a fast prior to amud ha’shachar (dawn), but after going to sleep for the night, must verbally express this intention or have it in mind before retiring (Mishna Berura 564:4). If this condition is met, then the fast begins at amud ha’shachar, which is 72 minutes before sunrise (Biur Halacha 89 s.v. ve’im hispalel) and ends with tzeis ha’kochavim which Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l concluded is 50 minutes after sunset (Igros Moshe YD 2:79). According to Rav Moshe Feinstein, one who is having difficulty fasting may be lenient and break the fast 41 minutes after sunset (Igros Moshe OC 4:62), while Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt"l maintained that in such instances the fast can be concluded 25 minutes after sunset.

If one plans to eat a meal consisting of more than the volume of one egg of bread or cake, (the equivalent of eight Tam Tams—as heard in the name of Rav Moshe Bick, zt”l), one should begin eating at least a half hour before amud ha’shachar (Mishna Berura 89:27).

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.