- Q. See question above. Another explanation is because Shovavim falls after the winter solstice, which is when the days start to get longer.
This connects to the narrative recounted in Avodah Zara (8a) that after Adam sinned, he ascertained that the days were getting shorter and feared that his insubordination to Hashem had brought about the end of the universe. Then, as the winter solstice passed, he noticed that the days were getting longer again and was relieved. He saw in it a symbol of his repentance being accepted. Consequently, the period of increasing daylight is seen as a promising and auspicious time.
We don’t find the Shovavim period mentioned in the Talmud, Midrash, Shulchan Aruch or Mishneh Torah; one of the the earliest reference is in the fifteenth-century work Leket Yosher. It was the sefarim of Kabalah and Chasidism who enlarged Shovavim to its current understanding – that also includes fasting on Mondays and Thursdays during this period, every year. Because of their origins, the practices are more prevalent in Sephardic and Chasidik communities than they are among Ashkenazim.
The first practice, as mentioned, is to fast from dawn to dusk on the Mondays and Thursdays of this period. These are the days of the year with the fewest daylight hours, with the result that these fasts are not among the more onerous ones.
Another practice observed at this time is to undertake a taanis dibbur – a fast from speaking. Typically observed on Shabbos (when regular fasting is prohibited), one obligates himself to refrain from talking, except for words of prayer.
On Shabbos during a taanis dibbur, there are those who recite sefer Tehillim – all 150 Psalms – three times, for a total of 450 Psalms! This, of course, is a very large time commitment.
During Shovavim, some people recite Selichos and various Kabbalistic prayers appropriate for the period. Others give extra tzedakah at this time.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
