When is the next fast day

Next Fast Day: Tzom Tammuz

The next fast day is Tzom Tammuz (צום י״ז בתמוז), falling on July 2, 2026.

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What is Tzom Tammuz?

It is the fast of the 17th of Tammuz, which commemorates five tragic events that befell the Jewish people. The Mishnah lists them explicitly:

"Five calamitous matters occurred to our forefathers on the seventeenth of Tammuz:"

1. Moses broke the Tablets upon seeing the Golden Calf
2. The daily tamid offering was nullified by the Roman authorities
3. The walls of Jerusalem were breached
4. The general Apostemos publicly burned a Torah scroll
5. An idol was placed in the Temple

[Mishnah Ta'anit 4:6]

This is also corroborated by Megillat Ta'anit: "בי"ז בתמוז נשתברו הלוחות ובטל התמיד ושרף אפוסטמוס את התורה" — "On the 17th of Tammuz the Tablets were broken, the tamid was nullified, and Apostemos burned the Torah." [Megillat Ta'anit, Adar 20]

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Broader Significance

The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of the Three Weeks (Bein HaMetzarim), a period of national mourning culminating in Tisha B'Av (July 23, 2026).

The prophet Zechariah refers to this fast as the "tzom harevi'i" — "the fast of the fourth month" (Tammuz being the fourth month):

"צוֹם הָרְבִיעִי וְצוֹם הַחֲמִישִׁי... יִהְיֶה לְבֵית־יְהוּדָה לְשָׂשׂוֹן וּלְשִׂמְחָה" "The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth... shall become joy and gladness for the House of Judah" [Zechariah 8:19]

This verse gives us hope that these fast days will one day be transformed into festivals with the coming of geulah (redemption). 🙏

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For practical halacha regarding the fast (times, who must fast, leniencies), consult your local rabbi or posek.