Re today's observance of the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz
Start with the traditional reasons--here's one list. My usual complaint is applicable: Several of the reasons given for this fast are midrash and, to the best of my knowledge, have no backing in historical evidence or earlier religious texts. For example, midrash teaches, regarding the 17th of Tammuz, that "Moses descended Mount Sinai on this day and, upon seeing the Golden Calf, broke the first set of Tablets carrying the Ten Commandments (Shemot 32:19, Mishna Taanit 28b)." Good luck trying to find proof of that dating in Shemot/Exodus itself!
My personal practice regarding fast days is to try to find meanings that are relevant to me. The destruction of the Temple is not my main concern, as I have no interest whatsoever in participating in animal sacrifices. What makes this a tragedy for me is the fact that thousands of people died in the process.
For the moment, as a citizen of the United States, I'm dealing with more contemporary concerns. The erosion of voting rights and/or the deliberate effort to make voting as difficult as possible; the downgrading of civil rights for members of the LGBTQI community; attacks on the right of women to control our own bodies and to be respected as fully human; the targeting of the entire Muslim world as terrorists; the labeling of Latin Americans (even U.S. citizens) as rapists, murderers, gang members or otherwise untrustworthy and therefore, candidates for long-term incarceration if they attempt to immigrate; the disdain for diplomacy; the disregard, and even downright contempt, for the rule of law; the attempts of our current national government to ensure that any benefit aimed at the non-wealthy is phased out; climate-change denial and attacks on environmental-protection programs--did I miss anything?--are enough reason for me to fast.
My personal practice regarding fast days is to try to find meanings that are relevant to me. The destruction of the Temple is not my main concern, as I have no interest whatsoever in participating in animal sacrifices. What makes this a tragedy for me is the fact that thousands of people died in the process.
For the moment, as a citizen of the United States, I'm dealing with more contemporary concerns. The erosion of voting rights and/or the deliberate effort to make voting as difficult as possible; the downgrading of civil rights for members of the LGBTQI community; attacks on the right of women to control our own bodies and to be respected as fully human; the targeting of the entire Muslim world as terrorists; the labeling of Latin Americans (even U.S. citizens) as rapists, murderers, gang members or otherwise untrustworthy and therefore, candidates for long-term incarceration if they attempt to immigrate; the disdain for diplomacy; the disregard, and even downright contempt, for the rule of law; the attempts of our current national government to ensure that any benefit aimed at the non-wealthy is phased out; climate-change denial and attacks on environmental-protection programs--did I miss anything?--are enough reason for me to fast.
posted by Shira Salamone at 2:11 PM
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