On the 10th of Tevet of the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later — on Tammuz 9, 3338 — the city walls were breached, and on Av 9th of that year, the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
10th of Tevet – Jerusalem Under Siege
On the 10th of Tevet of the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Thirty months later — on Tammuz 9, 3338 — the city walls were breached, and on Av 9th of that year, the Holy Temple was destroyed. The Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia for 70 years.
Tevet 10 (this year December 27, 2009) is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance. We refrain from food and drink from daybreak to nightfall, and add the Selichot and other special supplements to our prayers. More recently, Tevet 10 was chosen to also serve as a “general kaddish day” for the victims of the Holocaust, many of whom the day of their martyrdom is unknown.
An ancient Jewish custom, which was revived by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is to deliver words of inspiration and arousal to repentance on fast days. Presented here is our modest contribution to our duty as Jews to reflect on the significance of the tragic events of our history and come away motivated, encouraged, and — yes — even inspired:
Special directives from the Rebbe for Assoro B’teves
In Likutei Sichos (volume 15 p. 555, in a letter dated Hey Teves 5736, and a Sicha), the Rebbe gave special directives for Assoro B’Teves.
Pertinent excerpts:
Throughout the day, specifically for the merit, protection and strengthening of Eretz Yisroel materially and spiritually, and for the Jewish People, wherever they may be, the following should be done (preferably b’tzibur):
1) In the morning and by Mincha to learn (also) the concluding halacha of Hilchois Taanis of the Rambam.
2) Immediately after daavening (before the learning) to say Tehillim kapital 20, 22 and 69.
3) To give extra Tzedoko before and after davening, for a (building of a) Torah institution, in Eretz Yisroel and outside of Eretz Yisroel.Whoever will do the above a number of times during the day, and in increasing measure, is praiseworthy.
The promise that these days be transformed into happiness and rejoicing should speedily be fulfilled.
