Asara BiTeves we fast for the passing of Ezra (on 9 Teves).Why Ezra?Some suggestions.He really is one of the most important Jews ever.

A thought on a New York Times article making the Chanukah story into a war between factions of Jews. But he still is lighting the candles. Shimon HaTzadik prayed that Alexander of Macedonia should succeed and what it means to world history from a Jewish (religious) point of view.  

1) Fasts: A. fasts are עתי רצון. B. Fasts are days of תשובה. C. Seeing tragedy and saying that it is coincidental and part of the pattern of nature is considered cruel, one must see in everything a Divine message. D. When Moshiach comes these days are transformed into Yom Tov as they were (and…

The three reasons for the fast are 1) Torah, 2) Yidden, 3) Eretz Yisroel. In each the fast is ירידה צורך עלי’ה.

Slichos for Asarah BiTeves. inside. The order of all the Slichos are the same, only certainly certain paragraphs are different. We learned some of those.

On this date in 5738 (1978), the Rebbe reintroduced the age old custom of “Divrei Kivushin”, suggesting that words of relevant mussar be spoken in an appropriate way to the community. The Rebbe did so himself and would continue doing so for years to come. 10 Teves is still in the initial stages of Golus…

The fast of 10 TEVES is compared to Yom Kippur. We would (according to the Abudraham) fast on Shabbos. Why? The Rebbe’s talk from 5745 explains this.

Short Class:On this fast day we mourn three separate tragic events: 1. The death of Ezra, 2. the Targum 70 3. the siege of Yerushalayim. Long Version:The 8th of TEVES is the date of “Targum Shivim” (Septuagint), the 9th is Ezra’s yahrtzeit, The tenth is the day the siege was laid on Yerushalayim. This fast…