Published February 25, 2010
Observed this year on Thursday, 11 Adar, Feb. 25 - for everyone, regardless of which day Purim is observed.
Fast begins at 5:00am and ends at 6:01pm (times are for Jerusalem). Because Taanit Esther is preponed this year, no one follows it immediately with Megila reading, and the fast is over at “stars out”, like any other fast day.
This year, we say Avinu Malkeinu and Tachanun at Mincha, because the fast is NOT followed (immediately) by Purim.
Different reasons are given for the fast. They include a commemoration of the three-day fast that Esther “ordered” (in mid-Nisan, but…), the fasting that took place on the day of the battles (13 Adar), the reference in the Megila to ...DIVREI HATZOMOT V’ZAAKATAM (9:31), “...and as they had decreed for them- selves and for their seed, with regard to the fasting and their lamenting.”
Furthermore, the fast can be seen as a TIKUN (repair) for the Jews’ inappropriate participation in the party of Achashveirosh. They ate and drank improperly, let’s say, and their TIKUN takes two forms: Abstaining from eat and drink on Taanit Esther, and eating and drinking (even a bit excessively) on Purim day itself, L’SHEIM MITZVA. These are two different, but “hand-in-hand” ways of “rectifying” that which contributed to our being under Haman’s threat for almost a whole year.
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