MONTH OF ADAR
Some say it is a big Segula to fast on Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar and to say the whole Tehillim. משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה - When Adar Begins we increase our joy. We increase our joy throughout the month of Adar, some say to increase the joy throughout Nissan too. Some have the custom to hang up a sign of משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה.
7TH ADAR - באדר 'ז (SUNDAY 17/3/24)
7th Adar is the fast day for Tzadikim and most say Tachanun, however some have the custom not to. There are those who are particular if possible not to make a wedding on 7th Adar, due to it being the fast day for the Tzadikim as well as being the Yahrzeit of Moshe Rabeinu. Some have the custom to fast as well as to try to learn and do Mitzvot in memory of Moshe Rabeinu. Most Chevra Kadishot have the custom to fast and go to graves of Tzadikim and to ask forgiveness from the dead in case they didn't handle the person with respect when burying, some also say Selichot. In some communities, the Rabbi would give a Dvar Torah in memory of Moshe Rabeinu as well as other rabbis and Tzadikim who died during the year. Some have the custom that a child who is born on 7th Adar should not be named Moshe after Moshe Rabeinu.
PURIM PREPARATIONS
An inspiring Purim is the product of diligent preparation. In the days prior to Purim, one should review the Halachot of Purim.
TAANIT ESTHER (THURSDAY 21/3/2024)
Taanit Esther is not one of the four public fasts instituted by the Nevi’im, and is generally more lenient. This year, Taanit Esther is even more lenient, for it is observed two days early (being that the 13th of Adar falls on Shabbat). One should not presume that the leniencies outlined below automatically apply to other fasts. Therefore, a Chattan and Kallah during the week of Sheva Brachot need not fast. Pregnant mothers, nursing mothers and anyone considerably weakened by illness or advanced age need not fast. [One should not be unduly strict in this regard.] Mothers who have difficulty fasting while tending to their young children should consult with a Rav. When a Brit occurs on Taanit Esther, the Baalei Habrit (i.e. the Mohel, the Sandak, and the father of the baby) need not fast. However, all other attendees must fast. Therefore, the Seudah takes place at night, after the fast. Aside from the exceptions enumerated above, all healthy adults must observe Taanit Esther scrupulously. If one inadvertently ate during the fast, one must immediately resume fasting. Anyone below Bar/Bat Mitzvah need not fast. From the age of nine upwards, the custom is to train children to fast for several hours, as per the child’s abilities. [One should not be unduly strict in this regard.] An individual exempt from fasting should eat in private only, and avoid meat, delicacies or excessive intake. Children old enough to understand the concept of a fast should avoid delicacies and meat.
EATING PRIOR TO THE FAST
One may eat and drink the entire evening until dawn (4:29am), provided that either of these conditions are met (this does not apply to water which can be drunk anytime up to the beginning of the fast):
- One didn’t go to sleep for the night. [Dozing off is not regarded as such.]
- One stipulated (preferably verbally) before going to sleep that he would eat upon waking. In this case, one recites the morning Brachot before eating.
LAWS OF FASTING
One shouldn’t brush one’s teeth nor rinse one’s mouth. [If this will cause great aggravation, there is room to be lenient, provided that one leans forward to prevent any liquid from flowing down one’s throat; that one uses substances unfit for consumption (e.g. Listerine); and that one rinses with less than 86 ml.] One may take non-chewable pills for medical purposes, without water. A Rav should be consulted regarding other medicines. One may shower, bathe and apply ointments and creams. [Even one who is strict on other fast days may nevertheless be lenient on Taanit Esther.] One may not taste food to determine whether it requires salt/spices. However, when preparing food for a Seudat Mitzvah scheduled for the night following the fast, one may taste the food, provided that all these conditions are met:
- One expels it without swallowing.
- One tastes only an absolute minimum.
- One does not taste more than 86 ml in total throughout the day.
CONDUCT ON TAANIT ESTHER
One should learn Torah connected to the topic of the fast. One should give increased Tzedakah, especially before davening. It is proper to give the value of the forgone meals – especially if one is exempt from fasting. The purpose of fasting is to arouse one to do Teshuvah. Idling away one’s time, or partaking in joyous or entertaining activities, is not in the spirit of the fast. One should be especially careful not to become angered.
TAANIT ESTHER: SHACHARIT
During Shacharit, only the Chazzan recites Anenu. Therefore, a non-fasting individual shouldn’t serve as Chazzan.
