In the fourth chapter of Megilat Ester, Mordechai finds out about the terrible plight that has befallen the Jews of the Persian Empire. He sends a messenger to Ester to tell her to go and speak to the king on behalf of her people. Ester replies that she cannot go, since the king has not called her in 30 days, and anyone who approaches the king without being called gets killed. Mordechai responds forcefully, warning Ester not to think that she will escape any more than any other Jews. He tells her that if she does not act, then deliverance will come anyway, from another source, but she and her family will be destroyed. Ester accepts this rebuke, and declares a fast of three days, after which she will approach the king, even though this means risking her life.
Am Yisrael once again finds itself in a very difficult time. Our existence is again threatened in our home land. But we've been afraid to approach the King, perhaps because we haven't heard Him calling us. But God is always waiting for us to pray to him and ask for His help. Just as Mordechai told Ester, we know that the geula will eventually come to Israel. But we, and our generation, may not be the ones to see it if we don't act.
Tomorrow, Monday, March 17th, is Taanit Ester, the fast which commemorates Ester's fast before approching the king. We commemorate the fast on 13 Adar. The 13th day of Adar has the great potential for redemption. It was on this day that the Megila states (9:1), "Bayom asher sibru oy'vei hayihudim l'shlot bahem, venahafoch hu hayihudim heima b'soneihem." On the day (the 13th day of Adar) that the enemies of the Jews hoped to rule over them, it was flipped around, and the Jews came to have control over those who hated them.
Kumah strongly urges everyone to fast this year on Taanit Ester. The fast
begins Monday morning, before sunrise, and ends at night after the reading of
the Megila. Purim is often compared to Yom Kippur, so to borrow a phrase from
the Yamim Noraim, please make this Taanit Ester a day of "teshuva, tefilla,
u'tzedaka" - repentance, prayer, and tzedaka. And with God's help, next Adar we
will bring the mahatzit hashekel to the Beit Hamikdash in a peaceful and vibrant
Yerushalayim.
Tzom Kal and Purim Sameach!