שִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר בְּתַמּוּז
17th of Tammuz 2026

The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz 2026 falls on Thursday, July 2. The fast begins at dawn (alot hashachar) and ends at nightfall (tzeit hakochavim) that evening. The exact start and end times vary by location.

The 17th of Tammuz commemorates five historic tragedies. The Mishnah (Ta'anit 4:6) lists them: Moses broke the first tablets after the sin of the Golden Calf, the daily tamid offering was halted in the First Temple, the walls of Jerusalem were breached (in 70 CE leading to the Second Temple's destruction), the Roman officer Apostomus burned a Torah scroll, and an idol was placed in the Sanctuary. The breach of Jerusalem's walls in 70 CE is the central historical event the fast commemorates.

No. The 17th of Tammuz is a minor fast day, observed only from dawn to nightfall, not the full 25 hours of Tisha B'Av or Yom Kippur. Only eating and drinking are restricted. Bathing, working, wearing leather shoes, and other normal activities are permitted. The fast is rabbinic in origin, not biblical.

The Three Weeks (Bein HaMetzarim) is the 21-day mourning period between the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av). It commemorates the period between the breach of Jerusalem's walls and the destruction of the Holy Temple. During this period, traditional Jewish law prohibits weddings, live music, haircuts, and the recital of the Shehecheyanu blessing on new clothes or fruits. The mourning intensifies during the final Nine Days (from Rosh Chodesh Av through Tisha B'Av) when meat and wine are also traditionally avoided.

Most kosher restaurants remain open on the 17th of Tammuz but do not serve during the daytime fasting hours. Many open in the late afternoon or evening to serve break-fast meals after nightfall. Check individual restaurant hours, as some choose to close entirely for the day. Restaurants near Jewish communities often offer pre-fast packages the night before and break-fast specials after the fast ends.

Yes. Tachanun is recited, along with additional penitential prayers (selichot) at the morning service. The added selichot focus on themes of repentance and the historical tragedies the day commemorates. Special readings include the Torah portion of Vayechal at Shacharit and Mincha, and the Haftarah of Dirshu at Mincha.