Yechiel Michel Epstein

“ However, on the other three fast days we do eat the night before, and we do not observe all the other stringencies, only to fast from the morning to the evening like any fast that an individual undertakes.
Today, among our many sins we find that many are apathetic in observing these fasts, and they will have to answer for that in the future. All who are healthy are not permitted to separate themselves from the community and transgress a commandment of the prophets. If one who has to eat because he is weak should not eat a meal as on all days, only enough to provide for the upkeep of his body. ”

“ Nevertheless, we have not completely accepted these days as communal fasts, to start them while it is yet day, to go barefoot, and to refrain from washing anointing, and martial relations, with the exception of the Tisha b'Av alone, for on that day troubles overwhelmed us, and it is not dependent on our choice. ”

“ In the time of the destruction, when the nation of Israel was engulfed in pain, one was obligated to fast. This had the status of a positive commandment of the prophets, and all of Israel had accepted it upon themselves. At a time when they were not engulfed in pain the community had the option of fasting if they chose to. Nowadays we take the position of choosing to, and all have accepted to fast these days (Tur) . ”