Fast of Esther

9.9

A one-day event when many Jews do not eat or drink before Purim to remember Esther

noun

: Ayuno de Esther

She explained the significance of the Fast of Esther to her classmates at school.

Examples

The Fast of Esther is observed by many Jewish families.
The Fast of Esther is observed each year on the day before Purim by many Jews.
During the Fast of Esther, participants abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk.
On the Fast of Esther, we remember Esther's bravery.
Many Jewish families observe the Fast of Esther to remember Esther's courage.
During the Fast of Esther, many people reflect on the importance of bravery in difficult times.
The Fast of Esther is a time for prayer and remembrance in the Jewish community.

Surface Forms

Fast of Esther singular

Fast of Esthers plural

Morphology

fast + of + Esther

The phrase is directly compositional: 'fast' (a period of abstaining) combined with 'of Esther' signals a fast associated with the figure Esther. A B1 learner who knows the words 'fast' and 'Esther' can therefore infer it denotes a religious observance connected to Esther, even if they lack historical/detail knowledge.

Etymology

The Fast of Esther comes from the story of Queen Esther, who kept a fast for three days before asking the king to save her people. People today keep this short fast the day before Purim to remember her courage, so the name means a 'fast' in memory of Esther.