The Fast of Esther

This coming Monday, March 6th, which is the 13th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar, is the Fast of Esther.

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I and my maidens will also fast in like manner; and so will I go into the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). So responded Queen Esther to her cousin Mordechai when he requested that she present herself, unbidden, before King Achashverosh.

According to tradition, a second fast was observed by the Jews of Persia and Media on the 13th of Adar, the day that Haman’s supporters were allowed to attack. Jews traditionally fast when at war. In commemoration of this fast, and in honor of Esther’s fast, Jews around the world observe Ta’anit Esther, the Fast of Esther, on the 13th of Adar, the day before Purim.

The fast begins at dawn (aloht hashachar)* and ends after nightfall, during which time eating and drinking are prohibited. (Pregnant and nursing women, and others with health restrictions may be exempt from fasting–please consult your rabbi).

On Ta’anit Esther, as on other fast days, special prayers are added to the synagogue services:

1. Selichot (Penitential Prayers) and Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King) are recited during the morning and afternoon service. Unlike other fast days, on Ta’anit Esther, Avinu Malkeinu is only recited in the morning if the fast immediately precedes Purim as it does this year.

2. At the morning and afternoon service, excerpts from Exodus 32 and 34 are read from the Torah. These include the 13 attributes of God’s mercy. At the afternoon service only, the Torah reading is followed by a special haftarah (prophetic message) for fast days.

3. The Ah’nay’noo prayer, which asks for special forgiveness, is added to the morning and afternoon services by the prayer leader. Individuals who are fasting include Ah’nay’noo in the blessing of Sh’ma Koh’laynu (Hear Our Voices) when saying the afternoon service.

*Some people will get up before dawn and have an early morning breakfast (but this is permitted only if a decision to do so is verbally expressed the night before).