שבעה עשר בתמוז – Shiv’ah Asar b’Tammuz, the seventeenth day of Tammuz (תמוז), the fourth month of the Ecclesiastical calendar and the tenth month of the civil calendar. The fast on this day commemorates the siege of Jerusalem during which the walls to the city were breached, leading to the destruction of the Second Temple. It is the beginning of a period of mourning, which culminates in the fast of the 9th of Av.
« Back to Glossary IndexThis glossary entry is adapted from references and indicies in Rabbi Steinsaltz's published works. Order your copy of the Steinsaltz Talmud and the Steinsaltz Reference Guide to the Talmud, today.