Tanit Ester: Difference between revisions

# 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. <Ref>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.</ref>

# Children under Bar/Bat Mitzvah aren’t obligated to fast and some say that they shouldn’t even if they want to. <Ref> 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. </ref>