The 20th of Sivan

The 20 Sivan is a day of multiple tragedies. In 4931 (1171 c.e.) there was a terrible blood libel in France that led to the execution by sword and fire of 31 Torah scholars who were first given the choice of forsaking their Judaism. This episode was but a part of the tragic events of the Crusades that had begun in 1096.Rabbeinu Tam declared the 20th of Sivan as a day of fasting "greater than Tzom Gedaliya; like Yom Kippur". Slichot and Kinot were composed for 20 Sivan to mark it.

Almost 500 years later, in 5408-5409 (1648-49 c.e. – years that became known as TACH v'TAT), the 20th of Sivan became associated with the pogroms of the Polish anti-Semite Chmelnitsky, which resulted in the deaths of many tens of thousands of Jews and the destruction of hundreds of beautiful Jewish communities. The Councilof the Four Lands, a powerful rabbinic body in Eastern Europe, reiterated the decree of the 20 Sivan as a fast day. Their decree was to apply to males from the age of 18 and females from 15. Even neighboring countries not part of the council's domain accepted upon themselves the fast of the 20th of Sivan and all that wentwith it. The SHA"CH (Rabbi Shabtai Cohen, famous commentator on the Shulchan Aruch), added strength to the fast day by declaring it such, even though he was outside the Four Lands.

Some of the halachic details of this fast emphasize its significance. "Kabbalat Taanit" is not necessary for it. The Torah reading (because it is a fast day) pushes aside the regular Monday/Thursday reading. (This is not the case with "private" fasts.)

The day picked up an additional tragic aspect 17 years ago during Operation Sh'lom HaGalil. The battle of Sultan Yaqub, the costliest battle of the Lebanon War, took place on the 20th of Sivan, June 23, '82. Twenty-one of our soldiers were killed on that day, including Yair Landau HY"D, who was scheduled to be a madrichof our NCSY summer program a few weeks later. 3 soldiers are still missing from that battle, as well. Not one of our Public Fast days, but a day that certainly demands our attention and introspection.