Fast of Tammuz
“Judaism is a religion of memory. The verb zachor appears no fewer than 169 times in the Hebrew Bible. “Remember that you were strangers in Egypt”; “Remember the days of old”; “Remember the seventh day to keep it holy”. Memory, for Jews, is a religious obligation. This is particularly so at this time of the year.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
17 Tammuz 5787
Begins: Dawn on Thursday 22 July 2027
Ends: Nightfall on Thursday 22 July 2027
Starting with the Fast of Tammuz (on the 17th Tammuz), we begin a period in the Jewish calendar known as The Three Weeks, culminating in the Fast of Tisha B'Av (on the 9th of Av). During this period we recall...
Produced by World Mizrachi, this video features three clips from Rabbi Sacks discussing the topics of Jewish unity, conflict resolution, and our shared covenant and fate. This compilation is an engaging tool for opening up discussions around the Fast of Tisha b'Av, with its theme of sinat chinam and ahavat chinam. First clip: Rabbi Sacks in New York, at a...
Essays and writings from Rabbi Sacks' extensive body of work.
ARTICLES
Nine days from now Jewish communities around the world will sit in collective mourning on Tisha b’Av, the day of Jewish tears. So many tears. For the destruction of the First and Second Temples. For the defeat of the Bar Kochba rebellion. For the expulsion of Jews from England in 1290 and Spain in 1492. For the day on which...
