Customs
As a minor fast day, fasting lasts from dawn to shortly after dusk. Although it is customary among Ashkenazi Jews to refrain from listening to music, public entertainment, and haircuts on this day, this is only because it is part of The Three Weeks (see below, Bein haMetzarim); other deprivations applicable to the major fasts (i.e. Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av) do not apply.
A Torah reading, a special prayer in the Amidah (Aneinu), and (in many congregations) Avinu Malkenu are added at the morning Shacharit and afternoon Mincha services. Ashkenazi congregations also read a haftarah (from the Book of Isaiah) at Mincha. Congregations also recite during Shacharit a series of Selichot (special penitential prayers) reflecting the themes of the day.
Read more about this topic: Seventeenth Of Tammuz
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