ירמיהו, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ו׳

Jeremiah directs Baruch to present the scroll to the public, carefully selecting the time and place to reach the largest possible crowd. The message consists of matters God commanded Jeremiah. These teachings are considered divine words because they were delivered through holy inspiration, even if they were not expressed as formal prophecy [מצודת דוד].

The reading is scheduled for a specific day of public observance. The primary approach among commentators is that this refers to a traditional fast day. On such a day, the people reduce their normal daily activities and come together for special prayers and to seek guidance. This timing is chosen deliberately because a massive crowd, far larger than usual, gathers at the House of God from both Jerusalem and the surrounding cities of Judah [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, another perspective suggests that the description of this day does not refer to fasting at all, but rather to a general assembly. According to this view, it was a time when the people gathered specifically to discuss and seek advice regarding the recent troubles that had struck them [רד״ק].