Ta'anit Esther

What to know

Ta’anit Esther recalls the fasts surrounding Esther’s approach to the king. It precedes Purim and frames celebration with solidarity and memory.

It is a minor fast (dawn to nightfall in ordinary years). When the calendar requires, it may be observed on a different weekday — trust your community’s published date.

Prepare with Shabbat7

• Confirm the observed date if Purim falls on Sunday (common postponement patterns).
• Know begin and end times. Save strength for Megillah later.
• See the Purim page for the festival that follows.

For weekly Shabbat candle lighting in general, see candle lighting times and Havdalah times. This page is for Ta'anit Esther.