17th of Tammuz - 5769 (July 9th, 2009)

17 Tammuz is a solemn day in Jewish history. On this day in the year 70 C.E. the Romans breached the walls around Jerusalem. Three weeks later the Second Temple was destroyed, an event commemorated on Tisha B'Av. Other events that are said to have occurred on this day include Moses breaking the tablets of the Ten Commandments in response to the sin of the Golden Calf, suspension of daily sacrifices during the Roman siege, the burning of the Torah by a Roman general, and the erecting of an idol in the Temple before the revolt of the Maccabees.

17 Tammuz is a minor fast day, meaning that one should fast only during the day on Tuesday -- from 4:09 a.m. to 9:24 p.m. locally. Traditionally, at least six congregants at the mincha service must have observed the fast that day in order for us to read Torah and chant the Haftarah at that service.