Fast of Esther

The day the Jews battled their enemy was a day of fasting and prayer. And fasting also preceded Esther’s approaching Ahasuerus. We commemorate these fasts . . .

The Shabbat before Purim is Shabbat Zachor. The day before Purim is the Fast of Esther. Learn about the significance of these days and their associated observances.

Why Was the Fast Instituted? The Rambam writes:Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Taaniyos 5:5. The entire Jewish people follow the custom of fasting... on the thirteenth of Adar, in commemoration of the fast undertaken at the time of Haman, as it is written,Esther ...

Why don't we fast on all the Jewish holy days? After all, they celebrate the triumph of the spiritual

Halachot of Ta'anit Esther and the Half Shekel that is given to charity on this day

The Jewish calendar contains several fast days, most of them commemorating various landmark events that revolve around the destruction of the Holy Temples. Learn how these days are observed.

The rest of the people may have felt they should be fasting, but were not permitted to, since they need 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, ...

The Torah reading of the Shabbat that falls on or before Adar is supplemented with G‑d's commandment to Moses regarding the giving of the half-shekel.

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