# Fast of Behav > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fast_of_Behav > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fast_of_Behav.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_of_Behav > Source revision: 1351160807 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Jewish fast day}} thumb|A sign announcing fast day prayers for Behav in the Zichron Moshe Synagogue in Jerusalem. The special Torah Reading for Mincha of a fast day, as announced on this sign, is done only if at least ten men are fasting. The '''Fast of Behav''' (תענית בה"ב) refers to a tradition of [Ashkenazic](/source/Ashkenazic) Jews to fast on the Monday, Thursday, and then following Monday after the holidays of [Sukkot](/source/Sukkot) and [Pesach](/source/Pesach). While today very few people fast, many Ashkenazic communities recite the [Selichot](/source/Selichot) for these days. Practically, the fasts are observed in the months of [Cheshvan](/source/Cheshvan) and [Iyar](/source/Iyar), so as not to fast in the happy months of [Tishrei](/source/Tishrei) and [Nisan](/source/Nisan).While there is a prohibition to fast in Nissan, in Tishrei it is technically permitted to fast. Nevertheless, it is considered a happy month, so we do not establish set fast days then. See Mishnah Berurah 492:2. ==Source and practices== The [Masekhet Soferim](/source/Soferim_(Talmud)) (Chapter 21) says that there were "students" who fasted on a Monday, Thursday, and following Monday in the month of Nisan. However, it is clear that this was a private practice which was not publicized. The TurOC 492 cites the custom of Ashkenazic and French Jewry to fast in Cheshvan and Iyar. In later generations, this custom spread to some Sephardic communities.Kneset Hagedolah [https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=9236&st=&pgnum=146 492] Some explain that the reason for the fasts is in case one sinned over the long Sukkot or Pesach holidays, and others say that it should be for an atonement before the raining and harvest seasons. The days of Monday and Thursday were chosen because they are considered days of extra mercy from Heaven. According to the [Mishnah Berurah](/source/Mishnah_Berurah) (492:3), the fasts should always be on the first Monday, Thursday, and following Monday, following the first Sabbath after [Rosh Chodesh](/source/Rosh_Chodesh) Cheshvan and Iyar. However, some communities have the custom to delay the fasts in [Cheshvan](/source/Cheshvan) until the end of the month.A number of reasons are given for this practice. See Maharil, Spitzer edition, page 400 and footnotes there. Since [Shavuot](/source/Shavuot) is only one day (or two days in the Diaspora), there is less of a concern that one sinned, and there was no widespread custom to fast after Shavuot.Magen Avraham 492:1. Nevertheless, there have been individuals who fasted on a Monday, Thursday and Monday after Shavuot. Traditionally, on the Sabbath preceding these fasts, a special [Mi Shebeirach](/source/Mi_Shebeirach) is recited for those who intend to fast.[https://www.ezrastorah.org/calendar5781/ET5781.pdf Ezras Torah Luach], 5781, Page 75. This prayer can also be found on page 458 of the Artscroll Siddur. A reminder to recite this prayer often appeared in an advertisement in the Yiddish Forward, see for example the paper from [https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/frw/1940/11/07/01/article/20.2/?srpos=10&e=-------he-20-frw-1--img-txIN%7ctxTI-%d7%91%d7%94%22%d7%91-------------1 November 7, 1940]. Most communities recite this Mi Shebeirach before returning the Sefer Torah to the [Ark](/source/Torah_ark), but some (generally Western European communities) add it as an additional line to the Mi Shebeirach recited for the community (after [Yekum Purkan](/source/Yekum_Purkan)). One who responds "Amen" to this blessing does not need to accept the fast upon oneself at the [Mincha](/source/Mincha) of the proceeding day.Magen Avraham 492:3 and Mishnah Berurah 492:3. [[File:Behav Ahavas Chesed.jpg|thumb|A sign announcing the Behav prayers with at least 10 people fasting in the Ahavat Chesed synagogue in [Bene Berak](/source/Bene_Berak).]] While today few people fast,[https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/970982/jewish/What-is-the-fast-of-Behab.htm Chabad.org], viewed 31 January 2022. "Today it is relatively rare to find people who follow this custom". See also [Gavriel Zinner](/source/Gavriel_Zinner), Nitei Gavriel, Hilchot Pesach, volume 3, page 241 and the footnote there for many reasons why the practice has become less popular; he explicitly notes several prominent people in recent times who have fasted, most notably the [Lubavitcher Rebbe](/source/Menachem_Mendel_Schneerson). Services with fast day prayers for Behav including the special Torah Reading for Mincha of a fast - held only if at least ten men are fasting - are held - among other places - in the {{ill|Zichron Moshe Synagogue|he|בית הכנסת זיכרון משה}} in Jerusalem, in the {{ill|Meah Shearim Shtibelach|he|שטיבלך מאה שערים}} in Jerusalem, the Ahavas Chesed congregation in [Bene Berak](/source/Bene_Berak), at Congregation Shomrei Shabbos and at the [Vien community](/source/Vien_(Hasidic_community)), both in [Boro Park](/source/Boro_Park), and at Rabbi Forcheimer's shul in [Lakewood](/source/Lakewood%2C_NJ) (see [https://hefkervelt.blogspot.com/2023/10/thursday-october-26-lakewood-news.html here]). there are many communities which recite the special Selichot prayers on the mornings of these fasts.The Selichot according to the Eastern Ashkenazic rite can be found on page 816 of the Artscroll Siddur. A reminder also sometimes appeared in an advertisement in the Yiddish Forward, see [https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/frw/1950/10/10/01/article/48.1/?srpos=17&e=-------he-20-frw-1--img-txIN%7ctxTI-%d7%91%d7%94%22%d7%91-------------1 October 10, 1950]. ==External links== *Rabbi Ari Enkin, [https://outorah.org/p/41334/ The Fast of Behab] on OUTorah. *Rabbi Yehuda Spitz, [https://ohr.edu/this_week/insights_into_halacha/12103 BeHa"B vs. Pesach Sheini] on Ohr Somayach. == References == {{Reflist}} Category:Ashkenazi Jewish culture Category:Jewish fast days --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fast of Behav](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_of_Behav) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_of_Behav?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.