Photo by Jim Wilson on Unsplash
Ta’anit EstherBy Yulia Bezrukova, Global RSJ Jewish Educator
Ta’anit Esther, the Fast of Esther, is a significant Jewish tradition where we fast from sunrise to sundown the day before Purim, falling on the 13th of Adar. In Megillat Esther, we read about Haman’s ominous plan to wipe out the entire Jewish community on this day.
Ta’anit Esther is a bit different from other Jewish fasts. It’s not about mourning, like Tisha b’Av, or seeking forgiveness, like Yom Kippur. Instead, it’s a call to action — a time to gather strength, willpower, and resilience to face challenges head-on. This fast stands for the culmination of Esther’s crucial role in the Purim narrative, as noted by various commentators.
וּמִי יוֹדֵעַ אִם־לְעֵת כָּזֹאת הִגַּעַתְּ לַמַּלְכוּת “And who knows, perhaps you have attained to royal position for just such a crisis.”
(Esther 4:14)
Esther’s first uncertainty transforms during a conversation with her uncle Mordechai. He guides her to not just hear but truly listen. Esther responds with courage, seeking help by calling on all Jewish people to join her in fasting. This collective effort becomes a turning point. Initially isolated in the palace, Esther’s introspection, sparked by her dialogue with Mordechai, reveals her undeniable role in the fate of the Jewish people.
Ta’anit Esther symbolizes unity, faith, hope, and the desire to contribute to a positive outcome. Fasting becomes an embodied act of change — a departure from the ordinary for the sake of a greater good, whether personal or communal.
For those who may not observe fasting, dedicating time to introspection on the 13th of Adar can serve as an alternative.
Ask yourself: What challenges am I reluctant to face that could lead to greater good for myself or my community? How can I step up for myself and others? Where do I need help, and where can I help?
PurimBy Emily Rogal, MHWOW Jewish Life Specialist
Whenever I share about the holiday of Purim with someone unfamiliar with it, they always look at me as if I made it up. I suppose it makes sense that a holiday wherein we ingest substances*, eat themed cookies, read a communal story with audience participation (the original Rocky Horror Picture Show), and adorn ourselves in masks and costumes does not at first appear to be the most pious of holidays. But Purim, the holiday wherein we celebrate the strategic thinking and brave action of Queen Esther to prevent the Jews’ destruction, holds a significant spiritual and communal importance according to our tradition.
Many rabbinic commentators have pointed out the similarities between PURim and Yom KipPUR, despite the holidays being seemingly diametrically opposed (feasting vs. fasting, celebration vs. reflection). However, on both holy days, we are meant to look at ourselves and the world from a different perspective (“nahafoch hu,” to be turned upside down, is a central idea in Purim). On Yom Kippur, we reflect on our failings and how we can be better in the coming year. Purim invites us to live out the Black feminist and thinker adrienne marie brown’s idea of “pleasure activism.” brown writes: “Pleasure activists believe that by tapping into the potential goodness in each of us we can generate justice and liberation, growing a healing abundance where we have been socialized to believe only scarcity exists.”
Perhaps on Purim, we can tap into the spiritual urgency that Yom Kippur offers, while turning towards the joy that Purim begs us to not only feel but also act on. Purim invites us to see joy as a radical act, and reminds us of our spiritual and moral obligations to create and sustain a world where others can be at joy and in peace.
What does pleasure activism look like to you? How do you understand Purim as a holy day? * While ingesting substances is a common way for some to celebrate Purim, it is also important to be cognizant of members of our community who struggle with substance abuse. Here is a link to more information about Celebrating Purim in Recovery. Additionally, if you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse and want support from a Jewish lens, check out the awesome work of Selah, a community that is both digital and located in Brooklyn.
