Fast of Esther

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The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Ester, Hebrew תענית אסתר) is a minor Jewish fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve, commemorating the three day fast observed by the Jewish people in the story of Purim. This fast was accepted by the Jews for all future generations, as it is stated in the Book of Esther: They had established for themselves and their descendants the matters of the fasts and their cry. (Esther 9:31)

The Fast is observed on the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. If the Fast of Esther falls on Shabbat (Saturday), the fast is observed on the preceding Thursday.

Since the Fast of Esther is not one of the four public fasts ordained by the Prophets, the laws are more lenient; pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who are weak are not required to observe it.

[edit] Misconceptions

A common misconception about the fast is that it commemorates the anniversary of the fast which Esther declared before she risked her life to see the king. In fact, this and the rest of the story up to and including the execution of Haman occur before the month of Sivan and at least 9 months prior to the Purim Festival in Adar. 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. It is believed that ancient people fasted on the eve of battle to gain divine favor. The 13th of Adar being the day that the great battle happened, it was established as a fast day for the warriors prior to going out to battle. Because fasting during Passover would be inappropriate in almost all circumstances, the "Fast of Esther" became attached to the eve of Purim, the 13th of Adar.