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Why did Esther commit to a three-day fast but approach the king after only two days? The fast wasn't just preparation—it was a spiritual transformation based on the concept of chazakah. By fasting three days, the Jews elevated themselves to an angel-like state, escaping the heavenly decree against mortal beings.
This shiur examines Perek Dalet and the beginning of Perek Heh of Megillas Esther, focusing on the chronology and deeper meaning of Esther's three-day fast. Rabbi Zweig begins by resolving questions from the previous shiur, including why Achashverosh made the rule that only those he extends his golden scepter to may approach him alive - the king wanted to avoid confrontation and ensure that anyone who came before him would receive a positive response. The main focus turns to determining the exact timing of events. The decree against the Jews was issued on the 13th of Nissan, and Rabbi Zweig works through whether "the third day" refers to the third day of the fast or the third day since the decree. Through careful analysis of the Gemara (גמרא)'s statement that Mordechai was studying the laws of kemitzah (the Omer offering brought on the 16th of Nissan), Rabbi Zweig concludes that Esther actually approached the king on the 15th of Nissan - the first day of Pesach (פסח) - having fasted only two full days rather than three.
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Megillas Esther 5:1-2
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