The latter Mussar sages were divided about one who repeated a sin several times. Some contend that he must fast the number of fasts appropriate to that sin according to the number of transgressions. For example, the number of fasts prescribed in the penances of the Arizal1See above, ch. 2, note 9. for wasteful emission of semen is eighty-four. If someone commits this sin ten or twenty times, say, he must fast ten or twenty times eighty-four, and so on in all instances. These sages compare the fasts to the chatat2Leviticus 4. offering required for every instance of violation.
Others compare fasts to the olah offering brought for neglect of a positive command. Violation of a number of positive commands is atoned for by one olah, as the Talmud explains in Zevachim, ch. 1.35b.
The accepted decision in this dispute is to fast three times the number of fasts prescribed for that specific sin, i.e., 252 for emission, and similarly for other sins. This is based on an observation in Zohar, end of Noach;473b. as soon as mortal man is guilty one time before the Holy One, blessed is He, he makes an impression…the third time the stain penetrates from one side through the other…. Therefore the number of fasts ought also be three…
However, all this applies to the strong and healthy, whose physical vigor would not be sapped at all by repeated fasts, as in the generations of yore. But whoever would be affected by many fasts, and might suffer illness or pain, G–d forbid, as in contemporary generations, is forbidden to engage in many fasts. This ban concerns even sins of excision or execution, and certainly the positive and prohibitory commands that do not involve excision. Instead the measure of fasting is the personal estimate of what he can tolerate without doubt.
For even in those early Talmudic generations, only the robust who could mortify themselves fasted so frequently. But whoever cannot fast and does is called “sinner” in Taanit, ch. 1.511b. This applies even to one who fasts for specifically known sins, as Rashi explains there, and we find in Zevachim, ch. 1,67a. that there is no one of Israel who is not guilty of a positive commandment….
It goes without saying that a student of Torah who fasts is a sinner and is doubly punished, for the weakness resulting from his fast prevents him from studying Torah properly.
What then is his alternative? “Your sin redeem with charity.”7Daniel 4:24. The codifiers of Torah law specified for each fast day of repentance approximately eighteen (coins)…8Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 334:26 and commentaries. The wealthy shall add according to his means…. See Magen Avraham on Laws of Fasts.9Ibid. 568:12.
Nonetheless, every man of spirit who desires to be close to G–d, to repair his soul, to return it to G–d with the finest and most preferred repentance, shall be stringent with himself. He should complete, at least once during his lifespan, the number of fasts for every grave sin incurring death at least, if only death by divine agency. For example, for wasteful emission he should undergo the series of eighty-four fasts once in his life.
He may postpone the fasts until the shorter winter days and fast some ten days or less, for example, in one winter, and complete the series of eighty-four in nine or more years according to his stamina. (Besides, he may also eat a little about three hours before sunrise, and this would still be considered a fast, if he so stipulated.)
For the completion of the mentioned 252, he may fast another four times eighty-four until past noon, which the Jerusalem Talmud10Nedarim 8:1. considers a fast. In this context, two half-days are reckoned as one full day. Naturally, this approach applies to any other sins, for each heart knows its own anguish and desires its vindication.
There still remain the fasts in excess of the 252, or whatever amount, that he ought to fast in deference to the more stringent opinion insisting on the appropriate number of fasts for every violation committed, as noted. These may be redeemed with charity, approximating eighteen (coins) for each fast day. Charity may redeem all other fasts that he should have undergone for sins not entailing death, and even for neglecting a positive command, Torah or Rabbinic, and [neglect of] “the study of the Torah—equivalent to them all,”11Mishnah, Peah 1:1. according to the number of fasts prescribed by the Arizal’s penances. (Most of these are noted in Mishnat Chassidim, Tractate Teshuvah.) All of these fasts he may redeem with charity if he cannot mortify himself, as noted.
Though this might amount to a considerable sum, he need not fear for the injunction, “Do not distribute more than one-fifth.”12Ketuvot 50a. This is one of the enactments of the Conclave of Usha about a century after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash by the Romans. These circumstances are not “distribution” for charity, since he does this to release himself from fasting and affliction. This is no less necessary than medicine for his body or his other needs.
The number of fasts enumerated in the abovementioned penances is exceedingly great. Therefore all who revere the word of G–d are now accustomed to being unstintingly generous with charity, for the prevalent weakness prevents them from mortifying themselves over much. (A comment is made elsewhere on this subject on the verse, “The kindnesses of G–d, for they are not concluded.”)13Lamentations 3:22. In Iggeret Hakodesh, Epistle 10, Rabbi Schneur Zalman states that the source of Torah is in the infinite attribute of kindness (chesed). Only when mitzvot descend to the finite world of mortal man do they undergo contraction (tzimtzum) and acquire dimension. Thus, almost all mitzvot have dimension—sukkah, tzitzit, etc., dimension in time or space, minimum and maximum in quantity, etc. Charity too has its limitations—ten percent for the ordinary and twenty percent for the generous. However, this last standard applies only when one has not violated the mitzvot; his religious equilibrium, we might say, is undisturbed. If one has committed a sin, then atonement, reparation of the defect, must come from a higher source, the infinite kindness, superior to the state of tzimtzum. To elicit infinite pardon man must exceed ordinary bounds, being charitable beyond the limitations of a specified percentage. Rabbi Schneur Zalman interprets the verse rather ingeniously: “The kindnesses of G–d”—if we are to call forth the attribute of kindness, infinite pardon, through our unbounded deeds, it is because “lo tamnu”—we are not perfect. The last word, tamnu, may mean either “they are not concluded,” as is the usual rendition, or “we are not perfect.” Thus, it is only because of G–d’s kindness that we are pardoned.
וְהִנֵּה, חַכְמֵי הַמּוּסָר הָאַחֲרוֹנִים נֶחְלְקוּ בְּמִי שֶׁחָטָא חֵטְא אֶחָד פְּעָמִים רַבּוֹת; דְּיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת לְאוֹתוֹ חֵטְא פְּעָמִים רַבּוֹת כְּפִי הַמִּסְפָּר אֲשֶׁר חָטָא; כְּגוֹן הַמּוֹצִיא זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה, שֶׁמִּסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת הַמְפוֹרָשׁ בְּתִיקּוּנֵי תְּשׁוּבָה מֵהָאֲרִיזַ״ל הֵן פ״ד תַּעֲנִיּוֹת, וְאִם חָטָא בָּזֶה עֶשֶׂר אוֹ עֶשְׂרִים פְּעָמִים, עַל דֶּרֶךְ מָשָׁל – צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנוֹת עֶשֶׂר אוֹ עֶשְׂרִים פְּעָמִים פ״ד, וְכֵן לְעוֹלָם, דּוּמְיָא דְּקָרְבַּן חַטָּאת, שֶׁחַיָּיב לְהָבִיא עַל כָּל פַּעַם וּפַעַם.
The latter Mussar sages were divided about one who repeated a sin several times. Some contend that he must fast the number of fasts appropriate to that sin according to the number of transgressions. For example, the number of fasts prescribed in the penances of the Arizal1See above, ch. 2, note 9. for wasteful emission of semen is eighty-four. If someone commits this sin ten or twenty times, say, he must fast ten or twenty times eighty-four, and so on in all instances. These sages compare the fasts to the chatat2Leviticus 4. offering required for every instance of violation.
וְיֵשׁ מְדַמִּין עִנְיָן זֶה לְקָרְבַּן עוֹלָה הַבָּאָה עַל מִצְוַת עֲשֵׂה, דַּאֲפִילוּ עָבַר עַל כַּמָּה מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה – מִתְכַּפֵּר בְּעוֹלָה אַחַת, כִּדְאִיתָא בַּגְּמָרָא פֶּרֶק קַמָּא דִזְבָחִים.
Others compare fasts to the olah offering brought for neglect of a positive command. Violation of a number of positive commands is atoned for by one olah, as the Talmud explains in Zevachim, ch. 1.35b.
וְהַכְרָעָה הַמְקוּבֶּלֶת בָּזֶה, לְהִתְעַנּוֹת ג׳ פְּעָמִים כְּפִי מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת דְּחֵטְא זֶה, דְּהַיְינוּ, רנ״ב צוֹמוֹת עַל הוֹצָאוֹת שִׁכְבַת זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה, וְכֵן בִּשְׁאָר חֲטָאִים וַעֲוֹנוֹת. וְהַטַּעַם הוּא, עַל פִּי מַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב בַּזּוֹהַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ סוֹף פָּרָשַׁת נֹחַ: ״כֵּיוָן דְּחָב בַּר נַשׁ קַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא־בְּרִיךְ־הוּא זִמְנָא חֲדָא עָבִיד רְשִׁימוּ כוּ׳, זִמְנָא תְּלִיתָאָה אִתְפַּשֵּׁט הַהוּא כִּתְמָא מִסִּטְרָא דָא לְסִטְרָא דָא כוּ׳״. לְכָךְ – צָרִיךְ מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת גַּם כֵּן ג׳ פְּעָמִים וְכוּ׳.
The accepted decision in this dispute is to fast three times the number of fasts prescribed for that specific sin, i.e., 252 for emission, and similarly for other sins. This is based on an observation in Zohar, end of Noach;473b. as soon as mortal man is guilty one time before the Holy One, blessed is He, he makes an impression…the third time the stain penetrates from one side through the other…. Therefore the number of fasts ought also be three…
אָכֵן, כָּל זֶה בְּאָדָם חָזָק וּבָרִיא, שֶׁאֵין רִיבּוּי הַצּוֹמוֹת מַזִּיק לוֹ כְּלָל לִבְרִיאוּת גּוּפוֹ, וּכְמוֹ בַּדּוֹרוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנִים. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁרִיבּוּי הַצּוֹמוֹת מַזִּיק לוֹ, שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר שֶׁיּוּכַל לָבֹא לִידֵי חוֹלִי אוֹ מֵיחוֹשׁ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, כְּמוֹ בְּדוֹרוֹתֵינוּ אֵלֶּה, אָסוּר לוֹ לְהַרְבּוֹת בְּתַעֲנִיּוֹת אֲפִילוּ עַל כְּרֵיתוֹת וּמִיתוֹת בֵּית־דִּין, וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן עַל מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה וּמִצְוֹת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן כָּרֵת, אֶלָּא כְּפִי אֲשֶׁר יְשַׁעֵר בְּנַפְשׁוֹ שֶׁבְּוַדַּאי לֹא יַזִּיק לוֹ כְּלָל.
However, all this applies to the strong and healthy, whose physical vigor would not be sapped at all by repeated fasts, as in the generations of yore. But whoever would be affected by many fasts, and might suffer illness or pain, G–d forbid, as in contemporary generations, is forbidden to engage in many fasts. This ban concerns even sins of excision or execution, and certainly the positive and prohibitory commands that do not involve excision. Instead the measure of fasting is the personal estimate of what he can tolerate without doubt.
כִּי אֲפִילוּ בַּדּוֹרוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנִים, בִּימֵי תַּנָּאִים וְאַמוֹרָאִים – לֹא הָיוּ מִתְעַנִּין בִּכְהַאי גַּוְנָא, אֶלָּא הַבְּרִיאִים, דְּמָצוּ לְצַעוּרֵי נַפְשַׁיְיהוּ; וּדְלָא מָצִי לְצַעוּרֵי נַפְשֵׁיהּ וּמִתְעַנֶּה – נִקְרָא ״חוֹטֵא״ בַּגְּמָרָא פֶּרֶק קַמָּא דְתַעֲנִית, וַאֲפִילוּ מִתְעַנֶּה עַל עֲבֵירוֹת שֶׁבְּיָדוֹ כִּדְפֵירֵשׁ רַשִׁ״י שָׁם, וְכִדְאִיתָא בַּגְּמָרָא פֶּרֶק קַמָּא דִזְבָחִים, שֶׁאֵין לְךָ אָדָם מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְחוּיָּיב עֲשֵׂה וְכוּ׳.
For even in those early Talmudic generations, only the robust who could mortify themselves fasted so frequently. But whoever cannot fast and does is called “sinner” in Taanit, ch. 1.511b. This applies even to one who fasts for specifically known sins, as Rashi explains there, and we find in Zevachim, ch. 1,67a. that there is no one of Israel who is not guilty of a positive commandment….
וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן מִי שֶׁהוּא בַּעַל תּוֹרָה, שֶׁחוֹטֵא וְנֶעֱנָשׁ בְּכִפְלַיִים, כִּי מֵחֲמַת חֲלִישׁוּת הַתַּעֲנִית לֹא יוּכַל לַעֲסוֹק בָּהּ כָּרָאוּי.
It goes without saying that a student of Torah who fasts is a sinner and is doubly punished, for the weakness resulting from his fast prevents him from studying Torah properly.
אֶלָּא מַאי תַּקַּנְתֵּיהּ? כְּדִכְתִיב: ״וַחֲטָאָךְ בְּצִדְקָה פְרוּק״; וּכְמוֹ שֶׁכָּתְבוּ הַפּוֹסְקִים, לִיתֵּן בְּעַד כָּל יוֹם תַּעֲנִית שֶׁל תְּשׁוּבָה – עֵרֶךְ ח״י גְּדוֹלִים פּוֹלִישׁ וְכוּ׳, וְהֶעָשִׁיר יוֹסִיף לְפִי עָשְׁרוֹ וְכוּ׳, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתַב הַמָּגֵן־אַבְרָהָם הִלְכוֹת תַּעֲנִית:
What then is his alternative? “Your sin redeem with charity.”7Daniel 4:24. The codifiers of Torah law specified for each fast day of repentance approximately eighteen (coins)…8Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 334:26 and commentaries. The wealthy shall add according to his means…. See Magen Avraham on Laws of Fasts.9Ibid. 568:12.
וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם, כָּל בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ הֶחָפֵץ קִרְבַת ה׳, לְתַקֵּן נַפְשׁוֹ לַהֲשִׁיבָהּ אֶל ה׳ בִּתְשׁוּבָה מְעוּלָּה מִן הַמּוּבְחָר – יַחְמִיר עַל עַצְמוֹ לְהַשְׁלִים עַל כָּל פָּנִים פַּעַם אַחַת כָּל יְמֵי חַיָּיו מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת לְכָל עָוֹן וְעָוֹן מֵעֲוֹנוֹת הַחֲמוּרִים שֶׁחַיָּיבִין עֲלֵיהֶם מִיתָה עַל כָּל פָּנִים, וַאֲפִילוּ בִּידֵי שָׁמַיִם בִּלְבַד, כְּגוֹן לְהוֹצָאוֹת זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה פ״ד צוֹמוֹת פַּעַם אַחַת בִּימֵי חַיָּיו.
Nonetheless, every man of spirit who desires to be close to G–d, to repair his soul, to return it to G–d with the finest and most preferred repentance, shall be stringent with himself. He should complete, at least once during his lifespan, the number of fasts for every grave sin incurring death at least, if only death by divine agency. For example, for wasteful emission he should undergo the series of eighty-four fasts once in his life.
וְיָכוֹל לִדְחוֹתָן לַיָּמִים הַקְּצָרִים בַּחוֹרֶף, וְיִתְעַנֶּה כְּעֶשֶׂר תַּעֲנִיּוֹת עַל דֶּרֶךְ מָשָׁל בְּחוֹרֶף אֶחָד, אוֹ פָּחוֹת, וְיִגְמוֹר מִסְפַּר הַפ״ד צוֹמוֹת בְּט׳ שָׁנִים, אוֹ יוֹתֵר – כְּפִי כֹחוֹ (וְגַם, יָכוֹל לֶאֱכוֹל מְעַט כְּג׳ שָׁעוֹת לִפְנֵי נֵץ הַחַמָּה, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן נֶחְשָׁב לְתַעֲנִית אִם הִתְנָה כֵּן).
He may postpone the fasts until the shorter winter days and fast some ten days or less, for example, in one winter, and complete the series of eighty-four in nine or more years according to his stamina. (Besides, he may also eat a little about three hours before sunrise, and this would still be considered a fast, if he so stipulated.)
וּלְתַשְׁלוּם רנ״ב צוֹמוֹת כַּנִּזְכָּר לְעֵיל – יִתְעַנֶּה עוֹד ד׳ פְּעָמִים פ״ד עַד אַחַר חֲצוֹת הַיּוֹם בִּלְבַד, דְּמִיחְשַׁב גַּם כֵּן תַּעֲנִית בִּירוּשַׁלְמִי, וּב׳ חֲצָאֵי יוֹם נֶחְשָׁבִים לוֹ לְיוֹם אֶחָד לְעִנְיָן זֶה. וְכֵן לִשְׁאָר עֲוֹנוֹת כַּיּוֹצֵא בָהֶן, אֲשֶׁר כָּל ״לֵב יוֹדֵעַ מָרַת נַפְשׁוֹ״, וְחָפֵץ בְּהִצָּדְקָהּ:
For the completion of the mentioned 252, he may fast another four times eighty-four until past noon, which the Jerusalem Talmud10Nedarim 8:1. considers a fast. In this context, two half-days are reckoned as one full day. Naturally, this approach applies to any other sins, for each heart knows its own anguish and desires its vindication.
אָכֵן, מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת הָעוֹדְפִים עַל רנ״ב וּכְהַאי גַּוְנָא, שֶׁהָיָה צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת, לָחוּשׁ לְדַעַת הַמַּחְמִירִים לְהִתְעַנּוֹת מִסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת שֶׁעַל כָּל חֵטְא וְחֵטְא כְּפִי מִסְפַּר הַפְּעָמִים שֶׁחָטָא כַּנִּזְכָּר לְעֵיל, יִפְדֶּה כוּלָּן בִּצְדָקָה עֵרֶךְ ח״י גְּדוֹלִים פּוֹלִישׁ בְּעַד כָּל יוֹם. וְכֵן שְׁאָר כָּל תַּעֲנִיּוֹת שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת עַל עֲבֵירוֹת שֶׁאֵין בָּהֶן מִיתָה, וַאֲפִילוּ עַל בִּיטּוּל מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא וּדְרַבָּנָן, וְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד כּוּלָּם, כְּפִי הַמִּסְפָּר הַמְפוֹרָשׁ בְּתִיקּוּנֵי הַתְּשׁוּבָה מֵהָאֲרִ״י זִכְרוֹנוֹ לִבְרָכָה (וְרוּבָּם נִזְכָּרִים בְּ״מִשְׁנַת חֲסִידִים״ בְּמַסֶּכֶת הַתְּשׁוּבָה) – הַכֹּל כַּאֲשֶׁר לַכֹּל, יִפְדֶּה בִּצְדָקָה כַּנִּזְכָּר לְעֵיל, אִי לָא מָצִי לְצַעוּרֵי נַפְשֵׁיהּ כַּנִּזְכָּר לְעֵיל.
There still remain the fasts in excess of the 252, or whatever amount, that he ought to fast in deference to the more stringent opinion insisting on the appropriate number of fasts for every violation committed, as noted. These may be redeemed with charity, approximating eighteen (coins) for each fast day. Charity may redeem all other fasts that he should have undergone for sins not entailing death, and even for neglecting a positive command, Torah or Rabbinic, and [neglect of] “the study of the Torah—equivalent to them all,”11Mishnah, Peah 1:1. according to the number of fasts prescribed by the Arizal’s penances. (Most of these are noted in Mishnat Chassidim, Tractate Teshuvah.) All of these fasts he may redeem with charity if he cannot mortify himself, as noted.
וְאַף שֶׁיַּעֲלֶה לְסַךְ מְסוּיָּים, אֵין לָחוּשׁ מִשּׁוּם ״אַל יְבַזְבֵּז יוֹתֵר מֵחוֹמֶשׁ״, דְּלָא מִקְרֵי בִּזְבּוּז בִּכְהַאי גַּוְנָא, מֵאַחַר שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה לִפְדּוֹת נַפְשׁוֹ מִתַּעֲנִיּוֹת וְסִיגּוּפִים. וְלָא גָרְעָא מֵרְפוּאַת הַגּוּף וּשְׁאָר צְרָכָיו.
Though this might amount to a considerable sum, he need not fear for the injunction, “Do not distribute more than one-fifth.”12Ketuvot 50a. This is one of the enactments of the Conclave of Usha about a century after the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash by the Romans. These circumstances are not “distribution” for charity, since he does this to release himself from fasting and affliction. This is no less necessary than medicine for his body or his other needs.
וּלְפִי שֶׁמִּסְפַּר הַצּוֹמוֹת הַמּוּזְכָּרִים בְּתִקּוּנֵי תְּשׁוּבָה הַנִּזְכָּרִים לְעֵיל רַבּוּ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד, לָכֵן נָהֲגוּ עַכְשָׁיו כָּל הַחֲרֵדִים לִדְבַר ה׳, לְהַרְבּוֹת מְאֹד מְאֹד בִּצְדָקָה, מֵחֲמַת חֲלִישׁוּת הַדּוֹר, דְּלָא מָצוּ לְצַעוּרֵי נַפְשָׁם כּוּלֵּי הַאי (וּכְמוֹ שֶׁנִּתְבָּאֵר בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר עַל פָּסוּק: ״חַסְדֵי ה׳ כִּי לֹא תָמְנוּ״):
The number of fasts enumerated in the abovementioned penances is exceedingly great. Therefore all who revere the word of G–d are now accustomed to being unstintingly generous with charity, for the prevalent weakness prevents them from mortifying themselves over much. (A comment is made elsewhere on this subject on the verse, “The kindnesses of G–d, for they are not concluded.”)13Lamentations 3:22. In Iggeret Hakodesh, Epistle 10, Rabbi Schneur Zalman states that the source of Torah is in the infinite attribute of kindness (chesed). Only when mitzvot descend to the finite world of mortal man do they undergo contraction (tzimtzum) and acquire dimension. Thus, almost all mitzvot have dimension—sukkah, tzitzit, etc., dimension in time or space, minimum and maximum in quantity, etc. Charity too has its limitations—ten percent for the ordinary and twenty percent for the generous. However, this last standard applies only when one has not violated the mitzvot; his religious equilibrium, we might say, is undisturbed. If one has committed a sin, then atonement, reparation of the defect, must come from a higher source, the infinite kindness, superior to the state of tzimtzum. To elicit infinite pardon man must exceed ordinary bounds, being charitable beyond the limitations of a specified percentage. Rabbi Schneur Zalman interprets the verse rather ingeniously: “The kindnesses of G–d”—if we are to call forth the attribute of kindness, infinite pardon, through our unbounded deeds, it is because “lo tamnu”—we are not perfect. The last word, tamnu, may mean either “they are not concluded,” as is the usual rendition, or “we are not perfect.” Thus, it is only because of G–d’s kindness that we are pardoned.