What do you eat on an Esther Fast?

It is customary to have at least two servings of each piece of food that is included in the basket. Some items may include dried fruit, nuts, chocolates, fresh fruits, hamantaschen, and bread. Synagogues may collect the baskets on behalf of those in need, or families can distribute them to individuals as well.

What is the widow’s fast?

“The Widow’s fast enables us to see God meet the needs of others, especally humanitarian needs such as food and clothing.

How long did Queen Esther fast?

3 days and 3 nights
The fast commemorates one of two events in the Book of Esther: either Esther and the Jewish community of Shushan having fasted for 3 days and 3 nights before she approached the king (Esther 4:16), or a fast which is presumed to have occurred on the 13th of Adar, when the Jews fought a battle against their enemies.

What can you not do while fasting?

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating any food, drinking any liquids, smoking cigarettes, and engaging in any sexual activity, from dawn to sunset.

What to give up during a fast?

Here are some alternative items you can fast besides what you eat:

• Television. One of your favorite weekend activities may be binging on whole seasons of shows, or you may enjoy watching your favorite shows throughout the week.
• Video Games.
• Weekends Out.
• Cell Phone.
• Social Media.
• The Lunch Hour.
• Secular Music.

Why was Esther asked to fast for 3 days?

What It Commemorates. Fasting is associated with some pivotal moments in the Purim narrative. One such moment is when Esther approached King Ahasuerus without permission in an effort to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people. Before she went to the king, she fasted for three days, and asked that all the Jews fast as well.

What did Sarah do on the Esther diet?

The past 6 years Sarah focused on learning to be a good steward of her future husbands property and affairs. She was known as an excellent manager of her household. Sarah provided her family with food from the gardens. She chooses fine quality yarns to create beautiful clothing and curtains and pillows from her textile efforts.

Why did Esther Fast on the 13th of Adar?

Whether this fast honors Esther’s fast in the Megillah or the fast on the day the Jews went to war, Taanit Esther commemorates a time of national unity when all of the hearts and prayers of the Jewish people were directed toward a common goal. The Talmud itself refers to the 13th of Adar as “a time of communal gathering for all” (Megilla 2b).

Who is exempt from fasting on Taanit Esther?

However, unlike other fasts that are obligatory, Taanit Esther is considered to be a custom and therefore there is more leniency regarding conditions under which people may be exempt from fasting, such as pregnancy, nursing, or someone who is ill even if it is not life-threatening (for more on this, see Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 686:2 ).