The Earthquake Fast: Remembering the Past

On Iyar 18, an earthquake struck, leading to the destruction of the Temple. Known initially as the day of Joshua's passing, it became forever linked with calamity, prompting a day of fasting, especially in Israel.

אא
#VALUE!

In 1973, an archaeological expedition dug at Tel Rehov, located 5 kilometers south of Beit She'an. This city's historical significance is noted in the Bible; it was home to Elisha the Prophet, the devoted student of Elijah, who anointed Jehu son of Nimshi as king. Curiously, inscriptions with the names 'Nimshi' and 'Elisha' were discovered in the city.

However, our focus is on another fascinating discovery: during these excavations, the floor of a Byzantine-era synagogue was uncovered, featuring a lengthy inscription now known as the 'Rehov Inscription.'

This inscription is extensive and contains both legal and legendary knowledge concerning various regions and their agricultural laws within the Land of Israel.

Particularly intriguing is the list of fasts inscribed, titled 'These are the fasts of the entire year,' one of which is marked as: '18th of Iyar.'

Why would fasting occur on a day now celebrated as Lag BaOmer?

A poetic explanation by Rabbi Eleazar Kalir from that era states: "All was considered scarce / While Nun's son led our affairs / His days were taken, and alongside mine / On the eighteenth of the second." Thus, marking the passing of Joshua ben Nun, the nation's leader during the conquest of the land, on the 18th of Iyar.

But why a fast?

A manuscript from the Cairo Geniza provides an answer: "The fast on the 18th of Iyar for Joshua's death, and then there was an earthquake." Earthquake, or as termed in the source, 'raash'.

Some believe this earthquake didn't coincide with Joshua's passing year but struck many years later on the same date.

In 363 CE (424 in the Hebrew calendar), Emperor Julian permitted the Jews to rebuild the Temple. Work commenced, but on Iyar 18, an earthquake struck, leading to the Temple's demise. Previously marked by Joshua's passing, the date became synonymous with this destructive 'raash,' thus turning it into a fasting day, especially in Israel.

There are variations suggesting 'Joshua's Fast' should fall on Iyar 28, as mentioned in the Shulchan Aruch, but in modern times, it is not customary to fast. Today, given the difficulty of fasting, people suffice with obligatory fasts.

Purple redemption of the elegant village: Save baby life with the AMA Department of the Discuss Organization

Call now: 073-222-1212

תגיות:Jewish history Joshua ben Nun earthquake Lag BaOmer

Articles you might missed

Lecture lectures
Shopped Revival

מסע אל האמת - הרב זמיר כהן

60לרכישה

מוצרים נוספים

מגילת רות אופקי אבות - הרב זמיר כהן

המלך דוד - הרב אליהו עמר

סטרוס נירוסטה זכוכית

מעמד לבקבוק יין

אלי לומד על החגים - שבועות

ספר תורה אשכנזי לילדים

To all products

*In accurate expression search should be used in quotas. For example: "Family Pure", "Rabbi Zamir Cohen" and so on