Purim- Some Halachot When Taanit Esther Is Observed On Thursday Prior To Purim That Falls Out On Saturday Night

The day before Purim is generally observed as a fast day to which we refer as "Ta'anit Ester"; if Purim falls on Saturday night, we observe the fast on the Thursday before Purim. (When Purim falls on Saturday night, "Yehi Shem" is recited in place of "Tzidkatecha" during Mincha on the Shabbat before Purim, as Chacham Ovadia Yosef rules in Chazon Ovadia – Laws of Purim, p. 47.)

On Ta'anit Ester, as on all public fast days, we recite the special Torah reading of "Vayechal" during both Shacharit and Mincha, and the Chazan adds the Beracha of "Aneinu" in his repetition of the Amida, in between the Berachot of "Go'el Yisrael" and "Refa'einu."

If some people in the Minyan for whatever reason are not fasting on a fast day, does the congregation conduct the special Torah reading and recite "Aneinu," or do these additions require that everyone in the congregation observe the fast?

Chacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Chazon Ovadia (Laws of Purim, p. 44), rules that so long as at least six participants in the Minyan are fasting, these two additions are made. If, however, fewer than six participants in the Minyan are observing the fast, then the congregation may not conduct the special Torah reading of "Va'yechal," and the Chazan may not add the separate Beracha of "Aneinu" in the repetition of the Amida. Instead, he should incorporate "Aneinu" within the Beracha of "Shomei'a Tefila."

When the reading of "Va'yechal" is held on a fast day, only those observing the fast may be called to the Torah for an Aliya. If only one Levi is present in the synagogue and he is not observing the fast, then, as Chacham Ovadia rules (ibid. p.45), he should step outside the sanctuary and the Kohen should be called for the second Aliya as well. If, for whatever reason, the Levi does not step outside, then, according to Chacham Ovadia, the Kohen is nevertheless called for the second Aliya. Since the Levi is not observing the fast, he may not be called for an Aliya during the special reading of "Va'yechal."

Summary: On Ta'anit Ester, as on other fast days, the special Torah reading of "Va'yechal" is conducted if at least six participants in the Minyan are observing the fast. If fewer than six people observe the fast, this Torah reading is not held and the Chazan adds "Aneinu" during "Shomei'a Tefila" rather than in between "Go'el Yisrael" and "Refa'einu." Only people observing the fast may be called for an Aliya during the special fast day Torah reading.