The Fast of Esther (Taanit Esther or "Esther Fast") is a dawn-to-nightfall fast held on the day before the jolly holiday of Purim. It commemorates the fasting of our ancestors in response to the dramatic chain of events that occurred during their exile in the Persian empire. These events are recorded in the Book of Esther, and the salvation that came about at that time is celebrated on the holiday of Purim. (Click here to find out what times the Fast of Esther starts and ends in your location.)
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The Fast of Esther (Taanit Esther)
Art by Rivka Korf Studio
What, Why and How
On the day before Purim, we fast to commemorate how our ancestors fasted during the events leading to the Purim miracle.
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Observed (the day) before Purim, it commemorates the fasting of our ancestors in the Purim story.
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Machatzit HaShekel
In commemoration of the custom in the Holy Temple to give charity towards its building, we give coins half the value of the countrie's currency once a year
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The rest of the people might have felt they should be fasting, but were not permitted to, since they needed every ounce of strength to defend themselves against Haman’s venomous hordes. Esther, sitting in the palace, was the only one who had nothing to fear, and so was permitted to fast . . .
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Why do we give a haf-shekel to charity, and why is it done on Taanit Esther?
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Why don't we fast on all the Jewish holy days? After all, they celebrate the triumph of the spiritual
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