Fast of Esther

Fast of Esther
Official name Hebrew: תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר‎
Observed by Jews in Judaism
Type Jewish
Significance Commemorating the three-day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim
Observances Fasting
Begins 13th day of Adar at dawn (if Shabbat, then 11th day of Adar at dawn)
Ends The same day, at nightfall
2018 date February 28
2019 date March 20
2020 date March 9
Related to Purim

The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Ester, Hebrew: תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר‎) is a fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve.

Origin and purpose

The fast commemorates one of two events in the Book of Esther: either Esther and the Jewish community of Shushan having fasted before she approached the king unbidden (Esther 4:16), or a fast which is presumed to have occurred on the 13th of Adar, when the Jews fought a battle against their enemies.[1]

It is a common misconception that this fast dates to the time of Esther. Esther 9:31 states They had established for themselves and their descendants the matters of the fasts and their cry, but this refers instead to the fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19.[2]

The first mention of the Fast of Esther is as a Minhag that is referenced in the Gaonic period.[3] Recently, Mitchell First has written a detailed study of the origin of the fast and provided an explanation for its arising in the Gaonic period.[4]

Laws

The Fast is observed on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. (When the year has 2 Adar months, it is observed only in the 2nd Adar). If the date of the Fast of Esther falls on Shabbat (Saturday), the fast is instead observed on the preceding Thursday, as this was the case in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2017. This will occur again in 2024. (Shulchan Aruch S.686 s.2)

As the Fast of Esther is not one of the four public fasts ordained by the Prophets, the laws concerning its observance are more lenient; pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who are weak are not required to observe it.[5] (Note: per the concept of Pikuach nefesh, in certain situations a weak, sick, or pregnant person is not required or even permitted to observe any Jewish fast day; a rabbi should be consulted to determine the law for one's specific situation.)

The Gregorian dates, from dawn until nightfall, for 2018–2020 are:[6]

  • 2018: February 28
  • 2019: March 20
  • 2020: March 9

Fasting in the Book of Esther

It is generally accepted in the rabbinic tradition that the original three-day "Fast of Esther" mentioned in chapter 4 of Book of Esther occurred on the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of Nisan, these being the eve and first two days of Passover.[7] While halacha normally forbids fasting on Passover, it is believed that Esther reasoned it would be better to fast on one Pesach lest they all be destroyed and thus never be able to observe the holiday in the future. But due to the normal prohibition of fasting on Passover, the "Fast of Esther" instead became attached to the eve of Purim, the 13th of Adar.[7]

The 13th of Adar itself is thought to have been was a fast day for the warriors while going out to battle, as it is believed to have been customary to fast during the battle in order to gain divine favor.

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article_cdo/aid/644314/jewish/The-Fast-of-Esther-What-Why-and-How.htm
  2. ↑ Ibn Ezra, Ralbag, Malbim on Esther 9:31
  3. ↑ "The first who mentions it is R. Aḥa of Shabḥa (8th cent.) in "She'eltot," iv." The Jewish Encyclopedia, http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=613&letter=P&search=purim#2297 Archived 2011-09-13 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ First, Mitchell (Nov 2010). "The Origin of Taanit Esther". AJS Review. 34:2: 309–351. A short summary of this article is at "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2013-01-30.
  5. ↑ The Fast of Esther, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  6. ↑ "Ta'anit Esther (Fast of Esther) in Israel". timeanddate.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  7. 1 2 "The Fast of Esther". Jewish Virtual Library. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
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