Fast of Esther

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Israel · Judaism

The Fast of Esther, Ta'anit Ester, is kept from dawn to nightfall on 13 Adar, the day before Purim. Tradition links it to the fast of the Jews throughout the Achaemenid Empire on the day the Book of Esther sets for their battle with their enemies. It is a custom rather than a Talmudic law, first mentioned in the Geonic period, and so is considered less severe than the other fasts. When 13 Adar falls on the Sabbath, the fast is kept on the Thursday before.