Tanit Ester

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Tanit Ester

  1. It’s the Minhag of Yisrael to fast on the 13th of Adar [1]in commemoration of the fast of the Jews in the time of Ester and Mordechai and it’s called Tanit Ester. [2]
  2. If the fast falls out on Shabbat it’s pushing forward to Thursday. [3] Someone who mistakenly ate on Thursday should make up the fast the next day, Friday. [4]
  3. One may not make a wedding on the night before a fast day unless for Taanit Ester. [5]
  4. On most fast days a Baal Nefesh should be strict not to wash oneself in hot water or anoint oneself, however it’s permitted to wash with cold water or wash one’s hands, feet, and face with hot water. [6] However, on Taanit Ester there’s no reason to be strict. [7]

Those exempt from Tanit Ester

  1. Pregnant (after 3 months of pregnancy or a women who is in pain from aches or vomiting even before 3 months) and nursing (24 months after birth even if she stopped nursing or there was a miscarriage) women are exempt from fasting on Tanit Ester. [8]
  2. Children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah aren’t obligated to fast and some say that they shouldn’t even if they want to. [9]

References

  1. ↑ Sefer Eshkol 2:3 pg 7 and Bal HaMoar (Megilah end of first perek) write that it’s forbidden to fast on the 13th of Adar because it’s the day before a holiday. However based on many Rishonim, S”A rules 686:1 that one can fast the day before and after purim and so Tanit Ester should be observed as is Minhag Yisrael.
  2. ↑ Shiltot (Vayihakel 67) writes that the reason for Tanit Ester is to remember that the Jews fasted on the 13th of Adar (see Tanchuma Beresheet 3) in order to pray for mercy before the war they had with their enemies. Ravyah 550, Or Zaruha 2:437 pg 77d, Rosh (Megilah 1), Mordechai, Ran, and Tur 686 also quote this reason. However, Machsor Vitri 245 says that the fast is a minhag for the remembrance of the fast the Jews made in Nisan (mentioned in the Megilah) in days of Haman. This reason is also found in the Siddur Rashi 345, Shilbolei Leket 194 and Sefer Pardes 252. Sefer Manhig (Megilah 21) argues on this because we don’t fast 3 days or in Nisan. Actually, the Masechet Soferim (17:4, 21:1,12) says that since we are remembering the fast of Ester some have the Minhag to fast 3 fasts in Adar. This minhag is quoted in Or Zaruha, Rosh, Tur 686, and S”A 686:3. Sefer Eshkol (2:3 pg 7) and Magid Mesharim (Vayihakel) writes that the reason for the fast is so people listen in Megilah and not get caught up in eating. Ravad (quoted by Ran (Tanit 2nd perek)) and Sh”t Tashbetz 2:271 explain that the fast is based on the pasuk in the megilah “Kiymu Al Nafsham Divrei Tzomot”. Bach 686 says that the Ravad hold it’s a tanit that was established by the rabbis (in time of Ester) which is stronger than a Minhag. However Rambam (Tanit 5:5) writes that nowadays it’s only a Minhag (This is only true according to our (and the Bet Yosef’s) version of the Rambam but the Magid Mishna’s reading of Rambam leads one to say that perhaps the fast is an rabbinical establishment. Rama 686:3 concludes that the Tanit is only a Minhag and so one can be lenient for pregnant women.
  3. ↑ Shiltot (Vayihakel 67) and Tanchuma Beresheet 3 write that if Tanit Ester falls out on Shabbat it’s pushed earlier to Thursday. Rambam (Tanit 5:5), Tur and S”A 686:2 rule like the Shiltot. However Ravad (in Magen Avot 23 pg 152, quoted by Rashba (Eiruvin 41b), and Ritva (Eiruvin 41b)) holds that the fast occurs on Friday and one can eat after one prays right before Shabbat. Sefer Pardes pg 252 says that some people would fast on Thursday with the Tzibbur and then fast again on Friday but says that they are mistaken.
  4. ↑ Sh”t Shevut Yacov 3:50 writes that if one mistakenly didn’t fast on Thursday can make it up by fasting on Friday. Shaarei Teshuva 686:5, Mishna Brurah 686:3, Torat HaMoadim 3:2 quote this as halacha.
  5. ↑ Halichot Shlomo (Moadim vol 2, 18:5)
  6. ↑ Mishna Brurah 550:6 and Shaar HaTzion 550:8
  7. ↑ Halichot Shlomo 18:6
  8. ↑ Concerning the 3 rabbinic fasts (Asara Betevet, Shiva Asher BeTamuz, Tzom Gedalya), S”A 554:5 (based on Magid Mishna (Tanit 5:10) and Rabbenu Yerucham 27) holds that pregnant and nursing women are exempt, while Rama 550:1 (based on Hagot Maimon 5:1) holds they aren’t exempt only if they are in pain. Thus, concerning Tanit Ester S”A will clearly exempt these women and even the Rama will exempt these women even though they aren’t in pain (so rules the Rama 686:2 according to the explanation of Yeshuot Yacov 686:2 and Kaf HaChaim 686:18). Eshel Avraham MeButshatash 686, Sh”t Divrei Yacov Shor 41, Sh”T Maharsham 4:120, and Sh”t Hitorerut BeTeshuva 1:6(4) concur to be lenient. Yet, some Achronim are strict within the opinion of the Rama including the Yavetz (Siddur Yavetz 26), Eliyah Rabba 686:2, Machsit HaShekel 686 and Chaye Adam 155:3. Mishna Brurah 686:4 quotes the dispute and in Shaar Tzion writes that one should follow the Minhag of the place.
  9. ↑ Concerning the 3 rabbinic fasts, Sh”t Ramah MePano 111, Sh”t Peni Yehoshua (2nd edition, O”C 16), Maharam Ben Chaviv in Tosfet Yom HaKippurim pg 30c write that a child is exempt. Chaye Adam 133:3 and Mishna Brurah 550:5 add that they are exempt from fasting partially (Tanit Shaot). Clearly concerning Tanit Ester, children are exempt and don’t have to fast partially. Torat HaMoadim 3:4 writes that even the Erech HaShulchan 554:2 who holds by the other fasts that a child should fast partially can agree by Tanit Ester that children are totally exempt.
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