The Adams Street Shul

This year, Purim falls on Sunday. This means that we cannot have the Fast of Esther on the day before Purim, as we usually do, because this is Shabbat.  And it makes no sense to finish celebrating Purim and only then start the Fast of Esther afterward.  And with the exception of Asara B-Tevet – which can't be moved because the Tanakh makes that date explicit – we also do not schedule fasts on Fridays.  So this year the Fast of Esther will be observed on Thursday.

The Fast of Esther is only a daytime fast.  It begins at 5:03 am and ends at 5:38 pm.  If one made a formal intention, before going to sleep on Wednesday night, to arise early to eat, then one may have a meal before 5:03 am.  If this information sparks any questions, please contact Rabbi Weinberg.