Halocho #2375 - When is Ta'anit Esther - and when did Queen Esther fast?

When Purim is on Sunday - like this year - then the fast of Esther - תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר -  is on the Thursday before. (That's tomorrow!)

If one forgets to fast on Thursday, one fasts the next day - on Friday.

Ta'anit Esther is not as stringent as other fast days, and expecting and nursing mothers do not fast, nor does anybody who is unwell. When in doubt, consult with a Rabbi.

The custom is to give 3 coins to charity after Mincha on תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר. Each coin should be half the local currency - half dollar, half shekel, etc.

When did Esther fast?

Over 2,370 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later.

After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3-day long fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast.

At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast at which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves.

Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory.

Ta’anit Esther is the only one of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:2, 5. Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

בִּימֵי מָּרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר, נִקְהֲלוּ הַיְהוּדִים בִּשְׁלשָׁה עָשָׂר לְחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר לַעֲמֹד עַל נַפְשָׁם וּלְהִנָּקֵם מֵאוֹיְבֵיהֶם, וְהָיוּ צְרִיכִין לְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים מֵאֵת ה' יִתְבָּרַךְ שְׁמוֹ, שֶׁיַעְזְרֵם. וּמָצִינוּ שֶׁכַּאֲשֶׁר הָיוּ יִשְֹרָאֵל בַּמִּלְחָמָה, הִתְעַנּוּ שֶׁיַעְזְרֵם ה'. וְגַם משֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָׁלוֹם, בְּיוֹם שֶׁנִּלְחַם עִם עֲמָלֵק, הִתְעַנָּה. וְאִם כֵּן, מִסְּתָמָא גַּם אָז בִּימֵי מָרְדְּכַי וְאֶסְתֵּר, הִתְעַנוּ בְּיוֹם שְׁלשָׁה עָשָׂר בַּאֲדָר. וְלָכֵן קִבְּלוּ עֲלֵיהֶם כָּל יִשְֹרָאֵל יוֹם זֶה לְתַעֲנִית צִבּוּר. וְנִקְרָא תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר, כְּדֵי לִזְכֹּר שֶׁהַבּוֹרֵא יִתְבָּרַךְ שְמוֹ, רוֹאֶה וְשׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלַּת כָּל אִישׁ בְּעֵת צָרָתוֹ, כַּאֲשֶׁר יִתְעַנֶּה וְיָשוּב אֶל ה' בְּכָל לְבָבוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶעָשָׂה לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָמִים הָהֵם. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם אֵין תַּעֲנִית זוֹ חוֹבָה כָּל כָּךְ כְּמוֹ אַרְבַּע הַתַּעֲנִיּוֹת שֶׁכְּתוּבוֹת בַּמִּקְרָא (עַיֵן לְעֵיל סִימָן קכא), וְלָכֵן יֵשׁ לְהָקֵל בָּהּ בְּעֵת הַצֹּרֶךְ, כְּגוֹן מְעֻבָּרוֹת וּמֵינִיקוֹת אוֹ אֲפִלּוּ חוֹלֶה קְצָת בִּכְאֵב עֵינַיִם, שֶׁאִם מִצְטַעֲרִים הַרְבֵּה, לֹא יִתְעַנּוּ. וְכֵן יוֹלֶדֶת כָּל שְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם, וְכֵן חָתָן בְּתוֹךְ שִׁבְעַת יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה שֶׁלּוֹ, אֵינָן צְרִיכִין לְהִתְעַנּוֹת, וְיִפְרְעוּ אֶת הַתַּעֲנִית אַחַר כָּךְ. אֲבָל שְׁאָר הַבְּרִיאִים, לֹא יִפְרְשׁוּ (אֶת) עַצְמָם מִן הַצִּבּוּר. וַאֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁהוֹלֵךְ בַּדֶרֶךְ וְקָשָׁה עָלָיו הַתַּעֲנִית, מִכָּל מָקוֹם צָרִיךְ לְהִתְעַנּוֹת.

נוֹהֲגִין לִתֵּן קֹדֶם פּוּרִים מַחֲצִית מִן הַמַּטְבֵּעַ הַקָבוּעַ בְאוֹתוֹ מָקוֹם וּבְאוֹתוֹ זְמָן, זֵכֶר לְמַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל שֶׁהָיוּ נוֹתְנִים בַּאֲדָר לְצֹרֶךְ קָרְבְּנוֹת הַצִּבּוּר. וּמִנְהָג לִתֵּן שָׁלֹשׁ מַחֲצִיּוֹת, מִשּׁוּם דִּבְפָרָשַׁת כִּי תִשָּׂא כְתִיב שָׁלֹשׁ פְּעָמִים תְּרוּמָה. וְנוֹתְנִין בָּעֶרֶב לִפְנֵי קְרִיאַת הַמְּגִלָּה, וּמְחַלְּקִין אוֹתָם לַעֲנִיִים. קָטָן, פָּטוּר. וְאִם אָבִיו נָתַן בִּשְׁבִלוֹ פַּעַם אַחַת, חַיָב לְעוֹלָם. בֶּן שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים דְּחַיָב, וְיֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים דְּפָּטוּר, עַד שֶׁיְהֵא בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים.

- Danny Schoemann

Wednesday, 10 Adar-2 5784

Please daven for the full recovery of the seriously wounded soldier

מֹשֶׁה אַהֲרֹן בֶּן לֵאָה בֵּיילָא

לרפואה שלמה

Halocho #1049 - When is Ta'anit Esther - and when did Queen Esther fast?

When Purim is on Sunday - like this year - then the fast of Esther is on the Thursday before. (That's tomorrow!)

If one forgets to fast on Thursday, one fasts the next day - on Friday.

Ta'anit Esther is not as stringent as other fast days, and expecting and nursing mother do not fast, nor does anybody who is unwell. When in doubt, consult with a Rabbi.

The custom is to give 3 coins to charity after Mincha on Ta'anit Esther. Each coin should be half the local currency - half dollar, half shekel, etc.

When did Esther fast?

Over 2,300 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later.

After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3-day long fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast.

At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves.

Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory.

Ta’anit Esther is the only one of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1, 5, 8. Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Adar 5773

Halocho #779 - The second day of Pessach

On the second night of Pessach we start counting the 49 days of Sefirat Ha'Omer; culminating with Shavuoth.

On the second day of Pessach one should do something at the meal to commemorate Queen Esther's second feast, which ended with the wicked Haman being hanged on that day.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:6

- Danny
Sunday, 28 Adar II 5771

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Halocho #768 - When is Ta'anit Esther?

When Purim is on Sunday - like this year - then the fast of Esther is on the Thursday before. (That's tomorrow!)

If one forgets to fast on Thursday, one fasts the next day - on Friday.

Ta'anit Esther is not as stringent as other fast days, and expecting and nursing mother do not fast, nor does anybody who is unwell. When in doubt, consult with a Rabbi.

The custom is to give 3 coins to charity after Mincha on Ta'anit Esther. Each coin should be half the local currency - half dollar, half shekel, etc.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:5

- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Adar II 5771

Halocho #748 - Is tomorrow a fast day?

In a non-leap year the 13th of Adar is Ta'anit Esther.

In leap years - like this year 5771 - תשע"א - we fast and celebrate Purim in Adar-II.

However, in Adar-I we mark the days as "Purim Katan".

One should eat a bigger meal to increase happiness on 14th of Adar-I. Even in "walled cities" where Shushan-Purim is celebrated (e.g. Jerusalem) this is done on 14th (not 15th) of Adar-I.

During Adar-I the Megila is not read, nor does one say עַל הַנִּסִּים.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:10

- Danny
Wednesday, 12 Adar-I 5771

Please daven for a complete recovery of 24 year old Michael Pinchas ben Frecha Fanny who suffered a brain haemorrhage

Halocho #533 - The second day of Pessach

On the second night of Pessach we start counting the 49 days of Sefirat Ha'Omer; culminating with Shavuoth.

On the second day of Pessach one should do something at the meal to commemorate Queen Esther's second feast, which ended with the wicked Haman being hanged on that day.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 103:6

- Danny
Sunday, 28 Adar 5770

Halocho #521 – When did Esther fast?

Over 2,300 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later.

After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3-day long fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast.

At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves.

Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory.

Ta’anis Esther is the only one of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1,8, Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

- Danny
Tuesday, 9 Adar 5770

Please daven for the recovery of young father, David ben Mashiah, and for Hoshea ben Moshe

Halocho #348 - How is today related to Purim?

Today - Monday - more than 2,300 years ago, Esther and Mordechai dispatched the second royal decree informing the Jews that they may defend themselves against Haman's original decree of total annihilation.

When finding out joyous tidings or upon hearing good news from a reliable source, one says a Bracha.

If the good news only affects oneself, then one says Shehechiyanu; "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and permitted us to reach this occasion."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם - שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

If the good news affects a group of people then one says Hatov Vehametiv; "..Who is Good, and bestows good."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם - הטוב והמטיב

If one cannot say the Bracha right away - due to an unclean location or unwashed hands - then one can say it later, as long as one still feel joy.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:1,3

- Danny Monday, 23 Sivan 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama - תמר בת נעמה

Halocho #286 - Megila reading tonight

Purim starts tonight - Monday night. The Megilat Esther is read twice; once tonight and once tomorrow morning.

One should wear Shabbat-clothes in honor of the Megila reading.

The custom is to give 3 coins to charity before the Megila reading. Each coin should be half the local currency - half dollar, half shekel, etc.

Don't forget to add עַל הַנִּסִּים during Amida and Birkat Hamazon.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141: 4, 5

- Danny Monday, 13 Adar 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for Tzipora bas Eidel who had a growth removed

Halocho #285 – When did Esther fast?

2,364 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later.

After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3 days fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast.

At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves.

Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory. In commemoration, we fast on Adar 13 (tomorrow – Monday) and celebrate Purim on the morrow.

Ta’anis Esther is the only of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach.

The fast ends when the stars become visible (a few minutes before Motzai Shabbat time), and if needed, one may eat and drink before Megila reading. However one should not eat a meal until after hearing the Megila.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1,8, Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

- Danny Sunday, 12 Adar 5769

Please daven for a complete recovery for 18 year old Nachman ben Chanah - נחמן בן חנה

Halocho #109 - What Bracha does one make on Good News

Today - Thursday - is the 23rd day of the month of Sivan. Today - 2,362 years ago - was the day that Esther and Mordechai sent the second royal decree informing the Jews that they may defend themselves against Haman's original decree of total annihilation. When finding out joyous tidings or upon hearing good news from a reliable source, one says a Bracha. If it only affects oneself, then one says Shehechiyanu; "... who has kept us alive, sustained us and permitted us to reach this occasion."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

If it affects a group of people then one says Hatov Vehametiv; "..Who is Good, and bestows good."

ברוך אתה ה' אלקינו מלך העולם

הטוב והמטיב

If one cannot say the Bracha right away - due to an unclean location or hands - then one can say it later, as long as one still feel the joy. Even if the joyful event will probably cause one trouble at a later date, one still says the Bracha. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 59:1,3 - Danny

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Halocho #75 – When did Esther fast?

2,363 years ago, two days before Pessach, Haman decreed that all the Jews would be destroyed on 13th Adar, eleven months later. After consulting with her cousin Mordechai, Queen Esther declared a 3 days fast that lasted through the first days of Pessach, after which she went – uninvited – to the king and invited him and Haman to a wine feast. At the wine feast she invited them to a second wine feast where which she gained royal permission for the Jews to defend themselves. Jews always fast and pray when going out to war, and so they did on Adar 13, 3406 (354 BCE). On Adar 14 they celebrated their victory. In commemoration, we fast on Adar 13 (tomorrow – Thursday) and celebrate Purim on the morrow. Ta’anis Esther is the only of the 6 fast days not mentioned in Tanach. The fast ends when the stars become visible (a few minutes before Motzai Shabbes time), and if needed, one may eat and drink before Megila reading. However one should not eat a meal until after hearing the Megila. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:1,8, Esther 2:7, 3:12-9:30

Halocho #51 - The day before Purim-Koton

Today - Tuesday 13th Adar-1 - Tachanun is not said at Mincha, since tomorrow (Wednesday) is Purim-Koton. (However, today is not the Fast of Esther; that applies in Adar-2 only.) On both days of Purim-Koton (Wednesday & Thursday) one omits Tachanun, Kel-Erech-Apayim (before the Torah reading on Thursday) and Lamenatze'ach (between Ashray and U'vo L'Tzion). One may also not fast nor eulogize on these 2 days. Source: KSA: 142:10

סימן קמב – הלכות משלוח מנות איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים וסעודת פורים

סעיף י - יום י"ד וט"ו שבאדר הראשון, גם כן אין אומרים לא תחנון ולא אל ארך אפים ולא למנצח, ואסורין בהספד ותענית, וביום י"ד מרבים קצת בסעודה.