About: Fast of Esther

The Fast of Esther is a fast on Purim eve commemorating two communal fasts undertaken by the Persian Jewish community of Shushan in the Book of Esther, for the purpose of praying for salvation from annihilation by an evil decree which had been instigated by the royal vizier, an anti-jewish enemy, of the Amalekite nation. This fast, unlike other fasts, is a custom. It is not mentioned in the Talmud; however it is mentioned in the Midrash and other later sources from the days of the Gaonim. Therefore it is considered less severe than the other fasts. Esther asked Mordechai to have the Jews fast and pray on her behalf for 3 days and 3 nights, before she approached her husband, king Ahasuerus to beg for the life of her people.