shivah asar betammuz: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Religious
Quick answer
What does “shivah asar betammuz” mean?
A minor fast day in Judaism, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, marking the beginning of the three-week mourning period leading to Tisha B'Av.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A minor fast day in Judaism, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, marking the beginning of the three-week mourning period leading to Tisha B'Av.
A religious observance commemorating several calamities in Jewish history, primarily the breach of Jerusalem's walls by the Babylonians (586 BCE) and later by the Romans (70 CE), leading to the destruction of the Temple.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling may vary slightly based on preferred transliteration systems (e.g., British may favour 'Shivah', American 'Shiva'), but both refer to the same observance.
Connotations
Connotes Jewish religious observance, historical memory, and communal mourning. Neutral outside of that specific cultural/religious context.
Frequency
Almost exclusively used within Jewish religious, educational, or cultural contexts in both the UK and US. Extremely rare in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “shivah asar betammuz” in a Sentence
[The fast/day of] Shivah Asar b'Tammuz [commemorates/falls on...]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shivah asar betammuz” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The community will **fast** for Shivah Asar b'Tammuz.
- Do we **observe** Shivah Asar b'Tammuz this weekend?
American English
- We **observe** Shivah Asar b'Tammuz by fasting from dawn.
- They **commemorated** Shivah Asar b'Tammuz with a special lecture.
adjective
British English
- The **Shivah Asar b'Tammuz** fast begins early.
- He gave a **Shivah Asar b'Tammuz** lecture.
American English
- The **Shivah Asar b'Tammuz** liturgy is specific.
- She studied the **Shivah Asar b'Tammuz** prohibitions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, or Judaic studies contexts when discussing Jewish calendar or history.
Everyday
Almost never used in general everyday conversation outside of Jewish communities.
Technical
Used in liturgical calendars, religious law (Halakha) discussions, and Jewish educational materials.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shivah asar betammuz”
- Misspelling: 'Shiva Asar' (Shiva is the mourning period, Shivah is seventeen).
- Confusing it with the major fast of Tisha B'Av.
- Pronouncing 'Tammuz' with a strong 'u' as in 'put' instead of 'oo' as in 'moon'.
- Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a 'minor' fast, lasting only from dawn to nightfall, with fewer restrictions than the 25-hour fast of Yom Kippur.
There are several accepted transliterations from Hebrew, including 'Shivah Asar b'Tammuz', 'Shiva Asar B'Tamuz', or simply 'the 17th of Tammuz'.
Healthy adults who are observing the fast abstain from all food and drink from dawn (alot hashachar) until nightfall (tzeit hakochavim).
'Shivah Asar' is Hebrew for 'seventeen' (shivah = seven, asar = ten), denoting the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz.
A minor fast day in Judaism, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, marking the beginning of the three-week mourning period leading to Tisha B'Av.
Shivah asar betammuz is usually formal/religious in register.
Shivah asar betammuz: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪvə ˌæsɑː bətæˈmuːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɪvə ˌæsɑr bətɑˈmuz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From Shivah Asar b'Tammuz to Tisha B'Av (referring to the three-week period of escalating mourning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHIVah' sounds like 'seven' (but it's 17), ASAR is Hebrew for 'ten' (ten plus seven), and Tammuz is a summer month. So, 'Seventeen in Tammuz'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BREACH OF WALLS IS THE BEGINNING OF DESTRUCTION. The day metaphorically represents a 'breach' or a crack in spiritual and physical defences leading to greater calamity.
Practice
Quiz
What does Shivah Asar b'Tammuz primarily commemorate?