Setting the record straight
Rav Nir Yaakov Mas: I Never Paskened to Eat on the Minor Fasts
According to Rabbi Mas, Kipah website misconstrued what he had said about whether Jews are still halachically obligated to fast on the four small fasts. He has since issued a clarification.
In the sacred halls of Torah study, where every word is weighed with the precision of eternal wisdom, misunderstandings can sometimes arise. Such was the case recently with HaRav Nir Yaakov Mas, shlita, the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of Lev Tel Aviv Hesder Yeshiva, whose insights on the four minor fast days were regrettably misconstrued by the Kipa website.
Rav Mas has now issued a clear statement, illuminating the path for his talmidim and the broader klal. Under the banner of "Clarifying the Truth Following the Misleading Publication on the 'Kipa' Website," Rav Mas shared his heartfelt words: "In our beis medrash, we delve deeply into the Torah, from the pesukim of Tanach to the rulings of the Acharonim. Over the past decade, through rigorous study, a theoretical halachic conclusion has emerged: Based on precise definitions in halacha, there exists a prohibition against fasting in our era on the four minor fasts."
Yet Rav Mas emphasizes the vital distinction between theoretical exploration and practical psak. "Despite this theoretical insight," he continued, "I have stressed time and again that I do not issue such a ruling in practice, neither for the public nor even for our yeshiva community. Indeed, we observe the fasts fully at the yeshiva. One must always differentiate between seeking truth in the study hall and rendering halachic decisions for daily life."
Rav Mas added: "Should veteran talmidei chachamim choose to follow this approach privately in their own homes, that remains their personal matter, provided they do not guide others against the mesorah of our revered teachers. And let us all pursue truth and peace."