What Happened On The 9th Of Teves

The Mechaber in Shulchan Aruch (O. Ch. 580) lists additional fast days.

One of the fast days is on the 9^th day in Teves. “It is unknown what

Tzoroh happened on that day”.

The Mishno Verurah (sk 13) writes “In our Selichos (Ezkero Motzok)

it is written that Ezra Hasofer died on the 9^th of the month".

It is interesting, this Piyut is said, only by Ashkenazim. The Sefardim

say instead the Piyut “Sha’a Elyon” and the Piyut “Yoshev Bashomayim”.

In both of these Piyutim, it is mentioned that Ezra Hasofer died on the 10^th of Teves.

The Mechaber, being a Sefardi, must have held that Ezra died

on the 10^th and therefore didn’t know what happened on the

9^th of Teves.

The Tosfos Chadoshim on Megilas Ta’anis writes that

Yeisho Hanotzri ym”s was born on the 9^th of Teves.

Chazal were scared of the Nochrim, to write,

that we fast on his birthday.