Rabbi David Pendel Slams Yeshiva That Encourages Its Students to Eat on Jewish Fast Days 

Rabbi David Pendel, head of the 'Afikei Daat' Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot, has issued a sharp rebuke to the leadership of 'Lev Tel Aviv' yeshiva following statements that some of their students eat on fast days without being rebuked by the institution.

Historical Context of Fast Days

Rabbi Pendel opens his critique by recalling the atmosphere following the Six-Day War in 1967, when euphoria swept through Israel and questions arose about the continued relevance of Tisha B'Av observance. He cites Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's response at the time, which emphasized two key points:

First, as long as there is no answer to the prophet's fundamental question, "How has the faithful city become a harlot" and as long as Jewish suffering continues, fasting and mourning remain necessary. Second, even during the Second Temple period when the Temple stood, fasting continued, possibly as a prayer that the nation would never return to such a low point.

The Halachic Framework

Rabbi Pendel directs readers to the Talmudic discussion in Rosh Hashanah 18b, which establishes that fast days commemorating the destruction were instituted only during times of persecution. During periods without persecution but also without complete peace, the fasts are optional and depend on communal will. However, he emphasizes that early authorities warned against breaching established custom, and today observance is obligatory, as explicitly stated in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law).

The Gemara teaches that when there is "true peace," fast days will transform into "joy and gladness" and fasting will actually be prohibited. Could Israel's current situation be defined as having "true peace," thereby obligating celebration rather than fasting?

Rabbinic Interpretations

Rabbi Pendel examines differing rabbinic views on what constitutes "true peace." The Ran interprets it as requiring both the Temple's existence and possibly political independence. Rashi suggests it means when gentile powers are not dominant. Even according to Rashi's interpretation, Rabbi Pendel argues, the Rambam's opposing view creates sufficient doubt that stringency is required regarding prophetic matters.

He offers two reasons to reject the notion that current conditions qualify as "true peace" even according to Rashi:

First, Rashi likely assumed it obvious that without the Temple, fasts cannot transform into days of joy. His innovation was merely adding the requirement that gentile powers not be dominant.

Second, Israel currently faces threats on multiple fronts, global antisemitism is surging, and, as symbolized by Prime Minister Netanyahu's deference to the American president, gentile power remains influential. "It's not pleasant, but this may be how we conduct ourselves, meaning we haven't yet reached a state of true peace," Rabbi Pendel writes.

The Rambam's Definitive Position

Rabbi Pendel emphasizes Maimonides' clear position: "All these fasts are destined to be abolished in Messianic times. Moreover, they are destined to become holidays and days of joy and gladness, as it is stated: 'Thus says the Lord of Hosts: The fast of the fourth month... shall be to the house of Judah for joy and gladness and happy festivals, but love truth and peace.'"

Strong Warning Against Breaking Tradition

In his sharpest language, Rabbi Pendel declares: "Students who have not adequately served [their teachers] or studied sufficiently should not dare breach established practice and act according to their own conclusions. This is not the way of Torah. Heaven forbid one should separate from the community and breach the established boundaries, that young people should presume to challenge prophetic words.

"A yeshiva that permits such conclusions cannot, in my view, be called a Hesder yeshiva. This title has been sanctified through years of Torah greatness and faithfulness to accepted halachic decision-making methods. Don't we have the generation's elders to consult? I call upon them, reconsider, nullify your own opinions, look to the generation's elders, even within our own community, and learn what true Torah service means."