without additional restrictions. There are four public minor fasts: Fast of Gedalia (Tzom Gedalia) Tenth of Tevet (Asara B'Tevet) Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Esther) Seventeenth of Tammuz (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz) Liturgy During the four minor fasts a number of changes are made to the liturgy: The Torah portion for Fast Days (Exodus 32:11-14, 34:1-10), commonly called VaYechal after the first word of the portion, is read during the Shacharit and Mincha services. After the Torah Reading at the Mincha service, Ashkenazi communities read the Haftorah for Fast Days (Isaiah 55:6-56:8), which is commonly called Dirshu after its first word. During the Shacharit service, Selichot are recited. Avinu Malkeinu is recited during the Shacharit and Mincha services except at occasions when Tachanun is omitted. Aneinu is recited during the Mincha service in Ashkenazi communities. It is also inserted by the Chazzan during the Shacharit service. In Sephardic communities it is also recited during the Shacharit service. Four fasts The major and minor fasts that commemorate events having to do with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple are called the four fasts. They are: Ninth of Av (Tisha B'Av, full fast) Fast of Gedalia (Tzom Gedalia, minor fast) Tenth of Tevet (Asara B'Tevet, minor fast) Seventeenth of Tammuz (Shiva Asar B'Tammuz, minor fast) The minor fasts are mentioned in the Bible as fasts in memory of the destruction of the First Temple. However, after the Second Temple was built, these fasts ceased to be observed. The Talmud establishes general rules for observance of the fasts in later periods: if the Temple stands the fasts are not observed and instead have the status of Yom Tov and observed as holidays; if the Jewish people are being persecuted the fasts are observed; if neither of those is the case, then "should they desire, they fast, should they desire not to, they do not fast." Nowadays, the Jewish people are accustomed to observing these fasts, making them obligatory. Customary fasts Customary fasts are practiced by specific communities, or by especially pious individuals, or by certain classes of individuals. Fast of the Firstborn, Ta'anit Bechorot, observed on the day preceding Passover. Yom Kippur Katan (literally, the little Yom Kippur) - held on the day before Rosh Hodesh in most months. Fast of Behav - This is a custom to fast on the first Monday, Thursday and then the following Monday of the Jewish months of Cheshvan