Post date: Mar 09, 2020 4:33:44 AM
[Purim Vorts] Why are we fasting?
Ta'anis Esther
We fast the day before Purim, and we call that day “Ta’anis Esther.” But do we know what Ta'anis Esther commemorates?
It can't be the three day fast that Esther had Mordechai declare before she approached Achashverosh uninvited. That three day fast took place in Nissan (on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth--erev Pesach, and the first two days of Pesach). Additionally, Ta'anis Esther is on the 13th of Adar and it lasts but one day without the preceding night, whereas the three day fast lasted three full days along with the preceding nights. These fasts don't appear to have much in common. So, what does Ta’anis Esther commemorate?
It commemorates the Jews going out to defend themselves on the 13th of Adar. Although the Jews, no doubt, armed themselves with Patriot missiles, or Iron Dome, or whatever the equivalent at that time was, nonetheless they didn't rely on their physical strength and weaponry. Rather, they knew that their survival depended on the will of Hashem. And, as Jews often do in times of great need, they fasted and davened to Hashem before going out to defend themselves in what was, literally, a fight for their lives. If the fast actually commemorates the Jews’ pre-fight ritual, then why is it named after Esther?
The fast is named after Esther to remind us that just as Hashem heard the prayers of Esther at her time of need, Hashem also hears the prayers of everyone when they turn to him in their time of need. On the morning of Ta’anis Esther, we add Slichos and Avinu Malkeinu to our davening. When one turns to Hashem with all his heart, Hashem hears his prayers.
[Inside Purim, p. 49]
[Purim Vorts] Not “backwards”
The manner in which one reads the Megillah
The gemara (Megillah 17) teaches us that “Hakoreih es hamegillah l’mafrei’ah lo yotzei” (one who reads the Megillah ‘l’mafrei’ah’ has not fulfilled his obligation). The generally accepted understanding of the word l’mafrei’ah (and we Pasken this way, l’halacha) is “out of order” or “backwards.” Meaning, if one were to read the Megillah in a direction other than from beginning to end, he does not fulfill his obligation.
However, there are additional thoughts regarding the intent of this gemara. The Ba’al Shem Tov explains this to refer to one who reads the Megillah, but only recognizes/celebrates the miracles that took place in the times of Mordechai and Esther. Aside from those miracles, we must also recognize the miracles bestowed upon us daily. To not do so would be to view the Megillah in a “backwards” manner.
The Minchas Elazar of Munkatz understood this concept entirely differently. The word “l’mafrei’ah” is related to the word “pei’ra’on” which means “debt.” His lesson is that one who reads the Megillah in a manner similar to one who is simply repaying a debt has not fulfilled his obligation. The Megillah must be read with love and joy. We must show appreciation for the miracles that Hashem performed for us. To simply “take care of” one’s obligation of reading the Megillah without proper feeling is lacking in substance, and one cannot full his obligation in such a manner.
[Torah Wellsprings: Purim 2020, p. 6]