Queen Esther took upon herself three consecutive days and nights of fasting before approaching King Ahashverosh to plead for the salvation of the Jewish people. She approached the King knowing that her life was in danger, firstly because she hadn’t been summoned and she did it anyways and secondly, she revealed to the King that she was Jewish, which at that time it was a death penalty.
Her heroic act saved the Jewish people from certain death and it allowed them to fight a war and defend themselves.
On the 13th of Adar Queen Esther fasted so H”S could have mercy on the Jewish people who were going into battle and this is why it is called “The Fast of Esther,”because of her heroic act JEWISH people fast today.
Although the Jews of that time wished to also fast on that day in order to arouse Divine Mercy, they were not allowed to do so because it would sap their strength. Instead they vowed to fast on another date.
According to the Rambam,the fast teaches that we can arouse unlimited Divine Blessings and transform the very circumstances in which we find ourselves.
The name “Fast of Esther,” highlights the role of the Jewish women in the dynamic of the redemption. Our sages teach,”in the merit of righteous women, the Jews were redeemed from Egypt,”and indeed from future exiles as well.
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