The entire Jewish people follow the costume of fasting on the 13th of Adar in commemoration of the fast undertaken at the time of the evil Haman. This year the fast of Esther is commemorated today because the 13th of Adar is on Shabbat and we are not allowed to fast on Shabbat unless it is Yom Kipur, which supersedes Shabbat.
On the 14th of Adar of the year 356BC, the Jewish people went into battle to save their lives from the wicked decree put on them by Haman and endorsed by King Ahashverosh. Although the Jews wanted to fast on the 13th to arouse mercy from G-d and bring their salvation, they couldn’t because they needed the strength to fight the war so they vowed to do it on a later date. The only person that fasted on that day was Queen Esther who stayed in the Royal Palace. For this reason it is called “The Fast of Esther,” because among all the Jewish People, she was the only one who actually fasted on that date.
The Torah tells us “G-d shall bless you in all that you do,” implying that success involves two elements :”all that you do” allude to mans endeavors in the material world brings G-d’s blessing. The fasts undertaken by the Jewish people are intended to arouse H”S mercy by sending us blessing and bring success to their physical efforts.
According to the Rambam, the fast teaches that we can arouse unlimited divine blessings and transform the very circumstance in which we find ourselves. Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jewish people was a reflection of a heavenly decree against them. With Tzedakah, Teshuvah, Tefillah and fasting everything turned around.
This is why we should never feel hopeless, H”S is always waiting for us to turn to Him and in this way everything turns around.
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos, vol6,pp371-372
Wishing you an easy fast!
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