A number of rabbis have come up with a similar plan for us in light of the deteriorated security situation. Rabbis Arik Naveh, Yohai Yemini, And Yuval Cohen (described as mekubalim) have called upon the people of Israel to accept a fast of three days (straight, including nights). The purpose is to arouse heavenly mercy, and also to give people and communities time and opportunity for introspection.
Rabbis Shmuel Eliyahu and Bentzion Mutzafi have signed on to the plea but added that those who cannot fast for three days should instead accept upon themselves a taanis dibbur or to daven..
The three day fast would begin on March 21, 2016 and continue for three days, with the third day coinciding with taanis esther.
They explain that we are facing threats just like Mordechai and Esther did, so we need to act like them and fast for three days.
source: Mynet
The article says so far 20,000 people have signed on to the initiative. I wonder how many people will be able, or even just attempt, to fast for three days. Most people seem to start complaining about hunger and headaches in the middle of even short one-day fasts.
Another note I might point out is that Esther and Mordechai did not just [call on the community to] fast, but they also acted, and the fasting was meant to help their plan of action be successful. Would fasting on its own have done the job? Perhaps, perhaps not. But if we are emulating Mordechai and Esther, the plan for fasting should also include a plan for action.
Would you join such a fast? I might. I have some family simchas during those days, so i am not sure how I would work that out, but theoretically I would try to join such an initiative. Hopefully it will not be too hot during those days and people fasting will not have to suffer through a heat wave with no water.
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