[Avodah] Mourning for the Temple or repenting?

[Arie Folger]

RDE wrote:
> Another critical issue is if there is inherent sadness for the loss of
> the Temple why was the halacha (Rosha HaShanna 18b) that there was an
> oblgation to fast except in times of trouble but that if there were
> peace in the world there was no need to fast? [Tisha B'Av being an
> exception.] Also why R' Yehuda HaNasi apparently tried to do away with
> the 17th of Tammuz and possibly Tisha B'av if there was in fact inherent
> sadness? (Megila 5a-b)

How about seeing this sugya as a discussion on the nature of the 4 fasts, and 
that since it was decided to reinstate and observe the extra 3 fasts, there 
now exists an obligation, per taqanat 'Hazal, as per their understanding, to 
feel sadness? Would that not match RYBS? Does his requiremnet of feeling 
sadness for the 'hurban preclude that at some point this obligation was in 
dispute and was not obligatory until it was codified as the hilkhot 4 fasts?

-- 
Arie Folger
http://www.ariefolger.googlepages.com