Laws of the Tenth of Tevet Falling on Friday: Everything Important to Know

Fast on Friday

In the Talmud, Eruvin (41b), it is said that Mar Zutra taught in the name of Rav Huna: the law is that one may fast and complete it (when the fast occurs on a Friday). This is also the ruling of the commentators and Maran in the Shulchan Aruch (chapter 249, verse 4). Chazon Ovadia (Four Fasts, page 15) agrees. Therefore, one must fast until nightfall. Since it is forbidden to eat or drink before Kiddush, the end of the fast in practice is with the Kiddush of Shabbat night. A woman who finds it difficult to wait until her husband's return from the synagogue can make Kiddush herself immediately at nightfall and eat an olive's volume of bread so that Kiddush takes place during a meal. If she cannot do this, she should eat an olive's volume of cake, and if she cannot eat cake, she should drink at least a quarter cup of wine

Furthermore, one should not delay the evening prayer so that the public arrives home at nightfall to make Kiddush and dine, especially considering the elderly and weak [In reality, according to the calendar regulations explained in Siman 548, none of the four fasts can occur on a Friday, except for the Tenth of Tevet alone].

Bathing in Hot Water

It is permissible to bathe in hot water on the fast (Chazon Ovadia Four Fasts, page 21). Even those who are stringent agree that it is possible to be lenient when the fast occurs on a Friday and not to be strict about bathing in hot water for the honor of Shabbat (Mishnah Berurah Siman 550, subsection 6).

Haircuts and Shaving

Several later authorities wrote that one should not take a haircut on the 10th of Tevet, and this is the practical custom. Regarding when it falls on a Friday, see Ruach Chaim from Rabbi Chaim Palagi (Siman 566, subsection 4) who brings them and writes: therefore, when the 10th of Tevet falls on a Friday, it is appropriate to be careful to have a haircut on Thursday or not at all if not done every week. However, it seems to me that the honor of Shabbat is stronger, and since his actions are for the sake of Heaven, there is no strictness, and it is sufficient not to take a haircut during a public fast that falls in the middle of the week. It is learned from the law of Tisha B'Av, permitted on Thursdays for the honor of Shabbat. Therefore, it is also permitted to shave on Friday. But it seems preferable to take a haircut and shave on Thursday, as the conclusion of the commentators reveals there is no distinction if it falls in the middle of the week or on Friday, unless it wasn't possible or necessary, then it is permitted to take a haircut and shave on Friday for the honor of Shabbat. The permission lasts all day until Shabbat commences.

Cutting Nails

It is permissible to cut nails, and there is no prohibition at all.

Music

Question: Is it permissible to listen to music on the 10th of Tevet, and what is the rule regarding rehearsals at school performances, etc., where there is accompanying music, is it permissible to do so?

Answer: In Pri Megadim (Siman 551, Eshel Avraham subsection 10), the opinion of Eliyah Rabbah (ibid subsection 1) is cited that on the 17th of Tammuz and Tenth of Tevet, it is stringent to avoid musical instruments as much as possible, similar to the prohibition from Rosh Chodesh until Tisha B'Av as implied in Biur Halacha (Siman 551 at "Rosh Chodesh"). Likewise, see Kaf HaChaim (ibid subsection 19). Rabbi Chaim Palagi (Parashat Devarim, Rabbanit part 5) also writes: do not make dances and celebrations all night and day of the tenth, wherefore it seems, same not to listen to musical instruments (it is learned regarding counting the Omer and days of mourning when Pri Megadim and others forbade dancing and celebrations, and later authorities prohibited music and instruments, as written in several opportunities. Ostensibly, Ben Ish Chai also forbids even on the night of the tenth, which is not what seems from the above later authorities who forbade only on the day of the tenth and not at night). Therefore, one should be stringent and not listen to music on the 10th of Tevet even if it falls on a Friday [it seems if wanting to make rehearsals for performance on the 10th of Tevet and music is required for it, it is permitted, as it is music for learning rather than enjoyment, similar to what the latter ruled regarding a mourner who earns from music, allowing more leniencies].

Tasting Shabbat Dishes

Those fasting may taste the dish (to know if it needs salt or seasoning up to the amount of a quarter of a log (81 ml) provided that they spit it out, such tasting is not considered eating and drinking. On Tisha B'Av and Yom Kippur, it is prohibited (Shulchan Aruch Siman 567, subsection 1, Chazon Ovadia Four Fasts, page 27) [Rema there permits only on private fasts and not public ones, those accustomed to taste the prepared dishes for the honor of Shabbat, nonetheless, Mishnah Berurah brought there subsection 6 cited that for a mitzvah purpose, it is permissible to rely on the opinion of Shulchan Aruch there to allow tasting little by little and spitting, preparation of Shabbat meals is for mitzvah].

Shopping

It is permissible to shop on the fast, even for clothes, and it's not forbidden to do shopping on this day. Especially if buying clothes for Shabbat or buying due to the planned lockdown next week.

Traveling

There is no prohibition against traveling on the fast day, especially when needed for mental well-being.

Coronavirus Patient

A patient even if not in danger is exempt from the fast and eats and drinks normally without limits, as with illness the Sages did not decree, and he must not be strict with himself. “Sickness” is defined as an illness where it is permissible to take medicine on Shabbat; involves lying in bed or the whole body feels ill thus bedridden due to illness. Therefore, a coronavirus patient with bodily weakness or fever causing bed rest etc., is exempt from the fast and prohibited to fast. Even a virus carrier should not fast unless consulting a physician (preferably religious) who advises otherwise.

Mincha Prayer

It is preferable to pray a late Mincha on the fast day and say Kabbalat Shabbat before sunset (considering the additions in the prayer like Torah reading, Priestly Blessing, etc.) unless there is a special reason to pray an early Mincha. "Vayechal" is read during Mincha and the same is practiced for other fasts. Priestly Blessings are recited as with other fasts during the late Mincha, not the early Mincha.

Tachanun

Tachanun and the falling on the face are not recited; instead, "Yehi Shem" is said immediately.