Rabbi's Blog

Shalom to the TI Community,

Yes, we are still (and will be for some time) seeking shleimut, full and enduring peacefulness. The vicious attacks against Israel have sent us all into a very unsettled existence. 

I would like to share with you another way that Jews have traditionally responded to communal calamities. They did so through communal fasts. In addition to the full day (25 hour) fasts of Yom Kippur and Tisha b'Av, there are four other daytime fasts on the Jewish calendar. The fasts all focus us on calamities that befell the Jewish people, mostly in the times leading up to the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

In addition, over the years, individual communities have called for communal fasts when they faced plague, famine or war. These fasts were meant as a way to bring the community together and to give individuals a different way to focus their attention on the matter at hand.

Fasting is not a method of directing one's attention that works for everyone. For some, it evokes a theological view that our fast is a mode of prayer to God in order to elicit a response. Even if this is the theology for some, it doesn't have to be for all. For others, prayer and fasting is a way for us to feel more united with the community and connected with the Divine. It is not asking God for action but rather for emotional strength and support to face the difficulties we currently see ourselves in.

Many around the country and the world are organizing a communal fast for tomorrow, Thursday, October 12. The fast will begin at dawn (5:51 am in DC) and continue until nightfall (7:01 pm in DC). The conclusion of the fast will coincide with the coffee gathering at TI from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm for people to come and share thoughts and feelings about the attacks on Israel. Even if people are fasting, others should eat and drink as they are doing throughout the day. 

If you would like more information on communal fasts, and halachik implications of the current calendar timing on this fast, please click here. 

As part of a communal fast, there are additions to the traditional liturgy. A global mincha (afternoon) prayer service is being held at 5:45 and people can log in to view it by clicking here.

We will pause our conversations for part of the mincha service but not all of it, since we had the gathering planned and some people are already are planning on coming to share and discuss. Both are important and we will make space for both.

As I mentioned above, fasting is one way Jews have, over the years, responded to calamity. This is not the only way. Each person should find what works for them. Be sure to be taking care of your physical needs (sleep, food, outdoor time) and find outlets for your emotions. Maybe some will share tomorrow evening what has been working for them.

If speaking with me would be helpful, please let me know and we can set up a time to talk in-person, on the phone or on zoom.

l'Shalom,
Rabbi Werbow