ta'anit esther
We will soom come to Ta'anit Esther, the Fast of Esther. Ta'anit Esther is one of the four "minor fasts" of the Jewish calendar (the seventeenth of Tammuz, the fast of Gedaliah [3 Tishrei] and the tenth of Tevet are the other three). Because it is a minor fast day, the fast lasts only from sunrise to sunset on Thursday. In addition, fasting is the only restriction placed on us -- working and bathing as usual are permitted.
The Fast of Esther is traditionally commemorated on 13 Adar, the day that Haman had planned for the mass execution of Persia's Jews (Purim is celebrated on 14 Adar, the day the Jews celebrated their victory over Haman). Since this year is a lunar leap year, the fast is held during the month of Adar II.
In addition, since Purim is on Sunday this year, we are presented with a unique circumstance. The fast cannot be commemorated on 13 Adar because according to Jewish law we do not fast on Shabbat (the only possible exception being Yom Kippur). In addition, we traditionally do not fast on Friday (the only exception being Asarah B'Tevet). Therefore, the fast this year is moved up to Thursday, 11 Adar II. In addition to commemorating the day of the Jews' scheduled excecution, there is another reason given for observing the Fast of Esther. Before Esther went into King Achashverosh to plead for the lives of her people, she asked her cousin Mordechai to have all the Jews of Shushan fast for three days as a sign of prayer and solidarity (Esther 4:16). Esther was taking a big risk by going in uninvited to see the king, and she wanted to know that her people were behind her. Therefore, we fast each year on 13 Adar as a sign of Jewish unity.
Chag Purim Sameach, and have an easy fast.
This page was originally created by John Davis and Michael Kay, and can be found at http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/jdd16/guide/.
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