The thirteenth of Adar – the day before Purim – is observed as a fast called Ta’anit Ester. This fast commemorates the fast that the Jews observed during the time of Mordechai and Ester on the day they waged war to defend themselves against those in the Persian Empire who sought to annihilate them. By commemorating that fast, we remind ourselves that God listens to our prayers and accepts our repentance during times of distress and saves us from calamity.
The Maggid (angel) who taught Torah to Rabbi Yosef Karo revealed to him another aspect of Ta’anit Ester. Our indulgence in food, drink and merriment on Purim could potentially lead us to sin. We therefore observe a fast day which is a Segula against sin, to help ensure that the Satan will not have the power to cause us to sin during the Purim festivities. Ta’anit Ester is thus a crucial part of the Purim celebration, as it helps guarantee that our observance will be pure. Furthermore, by observing a fast before Purim we demonstrate that we eat and drink on Purim not to satisfy our physical drives, but rather for the sacred purpose of fulfilling God’s will.
The work Kav Ha’yashar (chapter 99; listen to audio recording for precise citation) writes that the day of Ta’anit Ester is an especially auspicious time for our prayers to gain acceptance in the merit of Ester and Mordechai. The Kav Ha’yashar therefore advises those in need of divine compassion to set aside some time on Ta’anit Ester and recite the 22nd chapter of Tehillim (“Lamenase’ah Al Ayelet Ha’shahar”), followed by a prayer for whatever it is that they need. In this prayer one should explicitly invoke the merit of Mordechai and Ester.
Ta’anit Ester has been accepted by the Jewish people as an obligatory fast day, and, as such, one does not have to declare a formal acceptance the previous day.
Although some people have the practice to refrain from bathing on a public fast day (as mentioned by the Mishna Berura, in the laws of Ta’anit Sibur), all agree that bathing is allowed on Ta’anit Ester. Since Ta’anit Ester does not commemorate any tragic event and is not observed in response to a dangerous situation, it is not an unhappy day, and bathing is entirely permissible according to all views.
The fast begins at Amud Ha’shahar, or approximately 72 minutes before sunrise, and it concludes at Set Ha’kochavim, which occurs anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes after sunset (one should consult with his Rabbi for personal guidance in this regard). In truth, the precise time of Set Ha’kochavim with regard to Ta’anit Ester is generally irrelevant, since the fast in any event is observed until after the nighttime Megila reading, which ends after the latest possible time for Set Ha’kochavim.
According to the Shulhan Aruch, it is permissible to stipulate before going to sleep the night before Ta’anit Ester that one wishes to eat and drink before the onset of the fast. This stipulation must be made verbally, and one cannot rely on a stipulation made before a previous fast day. But if a verbal declaration is made before one goes to sleep, one may, according to the Shulhan Aruch, eat and drink if he wakes up before Amud Ha’shahar. The Arizal (Rabbi Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572), however, based on the Zohar, maintained that once one goes to sleep the night before a fast, he may no longer eat, even if he made a verbal stipulation. He may, however, drink, even according to the Arizal’s view. Therefore, it is certainly permissible to wake up early before the fast begins to drink a cup of coffee, for example, as long as one made a verbal declaration before he went to sleep. One who is not well, or feels that he will be unable to complete the fast if he does not eat in the morning before the fast begins, may rely on the Shulhan Aruch’s ruling and make a stipulation before going to sleep.
The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in Ateret Tiferet (198), writes that it is proper to immerse thirteen times on any fast day and in times of crisis. These thirteen immersions correspond to the thirteen divine attributes of mercy. If possible, one should recite the corresponding attribute each time he immerses, while he is in the water. (Obviously, this assumes that the conditions allow for reciting matters of sanctity.)
Summary: Ta’anit Ester is a very meaningful occasion and an auspicious time for having one’s prayers answered. The fast begins 72 minutes before sunrise, and ends after the nighttime Megila reading. If necessary, one may verbally stipulate before going to sleep the night before the fast that he plans on eating and drinking before the fast begins. Preferably, though, this stipulation should be made only for drinking, but not for eating. It is permissible to bathe on Ta’anit Ester, even according to the custom to refrain from bathing on other fasts. There is a custom to immerse thirteen times in a Mikveh on every fast day.
