Post date: Feb 17, 2021 4:23:10 AM
“Gam Vashti Hamalka assisah mishtei nashim”
Vashti the Queen also made a feast for the women
(1:9)
The Rokeach explains why Esther wanted the Jews to fast for three days preceding her approaching Achashveirosh uninvited. The Jews needed to rectify their sin of attending the palace parties--both Achashveirosh’s and Vashti’s. Specifically what needed rectification?
It would seem that since the feasts were the main event of the parties, the feasts were what they needed to atone for. So, let’s quantify precisely what we’re talking about. The Jews didn’t attend the party on Shabbos. And on weekdays they attended only during the day, not at night. Since they were present for only one feast on each of the six days, they only needed atonement for six feasts.
By fasting a full three days and three nights, their fasts spanned six meals. So by having the Jews fast accept a three day fast, Esther was able to help the Jews achieve proper atonement for having attended the royal parties.
[The King’s Treasures, p. 23]
Posted 2/17/21