The thirteenth of Adar, the day before Purim, is a fast day, to commemorate the war that took place on this day against the enemies of the Jews in Persia and Medea (Esther 9:1-2). It also serves as a reminder of the fast of Queen Esther (4:16) before she entered the chamber of King Ahasuerus to plead for mercy for her people.

In general, the laws and customs of this fast are very similar to those of the Fast of Gedaliah (see p. 156).

The fast begins at dawn (about an hour and a half before sunrise) and ends upon the emergence of the stars. The precise times can be found in synagogue calendars. The fast precludes only eating and drinking, unlike Yom Kippur and Tisha BeAv. All men over the age of thirteen and women over the age of twelve are obligated to fast. Pregnant and nursing women are exempt from this fast. Halakhically speaking, this is not considered a very strict fast, and therefore in cases of illness, weakness, or other difficulties, one might not need to fast. In such a situation, it is advisable to consult a rabbi.

In the morning prayers, after the Amida, the congregation recites Selihot and Avinu Malkeinu. Afterward, there is Torah reading, and the passages read (Exodus 32:11–14; 34:1–10) describe Moses’ request of God to have mercy on the children of Israel and to forgive them for the sin of the Golden Calf.

Further reading: For more on the sin of the Golden Calf and Moses’ prayers in its aftermath, see A Concise Guide to the Torah, p. 218; A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 120.

In the afternoon prayer service, after Ashrei (Psalms 145), the Torah reading of the morning is repeated. In Ashkenazic communities, the third man called to the Torah also reads a haftara (Isaiah 45:6–56:8), which discusses abandoning one’s sins and returning to the upright path. In the blessing of Shema Koleinu in the Amida prayer, the Aneinu passage is added.

In the final blessing of the Amida, the Sim Shalom formula is used rather than the Shalom Rav formula, even in communities that generally recite the Shalom Rav formula during the afternoon prayer.

During the prayer leader’s repetition of the Amida prayer, he recites the paragraph beginning Aneinu after the blessing of Redemption. Prior to the blessing of Sim Shalom, he recites the passage commemorating the priestly benediction. In Israel it is customary that if the congregation is praying in the late afternoon, the priests recite the priestly benediction (Numbers 6:24–26).

Since the fast occurs on the day before Purim, neither Tahanun nor Avinu Malkeinu is recited at the afternoon service. When Purim occurs on a Sunday, the Fast of Esther is advanced to the Thursday before Purim. In this case, one does say Tahanun and Avinu Malkeinu at the afternoon service of the fast day.

Before the afternoon prayers of Ta’anit Esther, it is customary to give charity, to commemorate the “half-shekel” donation that was given in ancient times for the purpose of purchasing the Temple offerings. It is customary to give three “half-shekels.” Some have the custom to give three coins that are half of the local currency, such as three silver half-dollars, or in Israel, three contemporary half-shekel coins. Others give the value of the original half-shekel, which was about twenty-one grams of silver.

Further reading: For more on the half-shekel donation, see A Concise Guide to the Torah, p. 215; A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 114.

Since the end of the fast coincides with the beginning of the Purim holiday and the reading of the book of Esther [Megillat Esther], the fast is broken only after the reading of the megilla. However, one who finds it difficult to wait so long may have a drink or a snack, before the megilla is read.

Further reading: For more on the holiday of Purim, see A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 298; A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 86.