Jewish Fast of 17th of Tammuz 2026 Begins July 2 at Dawn Across Israel
The fast of the 17th of Tammuz in the Hebrew year 5786 will take place on Thursday, July 2, 2026. It begins at dawn and ends at nightfall, marking the start of the "Three Weeks" mourning period leading up to Tisha B'Av, commemorating the destruction of the Temple and other calamities in Jewish history. Specific start and end times vary by city, with the fast beginning around 4:20-4:32 AM and ending between 8:06-8:18 PM across locations such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Eilat.
The fast commemorates the breaching of Jerusalem’s walls by Roman forces under Titus during the Second Temple period, an event that led to the Temple’s destruction three weeks later on Tisha B'Av. Unlike the more severe Tisha B'Av fast, the 17th of Tammuz fast begins in the morning and permits washing and wearing leather shoes. Traditional prayers include reading from the Torah portion "Va'yehi Moshe" and adding the supplication "Anenu".
According to the Mishnah in Tractate Taanit, five disasters befell the Jewish people on this date, including Moses breaking the first tablets of the Ten Commandments.
Military personnel engaged in active operations are exempt from fasting to maintain operational readiness, as outlined by the Military Rabbinate’s guidelines. Soldiers in potentially dangerous or sudden combat situations must eat during the fast, while those in quieter roles should consult their unit rabbis. Participation in essential training that affects combat readiness is also prioritized over fasting.
Regarding health, individuals who are ill enough to be bedridden are exempt from fasting, but common symptoms like headaches or nausea do not justify breaking the fast unless they incapacitate the person. Pregnant and nursing women are permitted to refrain from fasting, with halachic authorities considering nursing status up to two years post-birth regardless of actual breastfeeding.
The fast is observed with prayers and reflection on the historical tragedies that befell the Jewish people, beginning a solemn period of remembrance and mourning.
