Editing Taanis Esther (section)

==== Mincha ====
The prayer is at "a later hour". "Vayedaber" and "Ketoret," "Ashrei," Half-Kaddish, reading of 'Vayechal' as in Shacharit, for three aliyot, and the third is the maftir, and Half-Kaddish is not recited afterwards. The haftarah "Seek Hashem when He may be found" is read, and afterwards three blessings are recited until 'Shield of David'. Yehalelu, Half-Kaddish.

Someone who is not fasting and was called up to the Torah, and is uncomfortable to make this known because of potential chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d's name) - should go up.

Even an individual says 'Aneinu' during Shomea Tefilla, without a concluding blessing, and ends "for You hear," and if one forgot (and already said Hashem's name at the end of the blessing) one says it without a concluding blessing after 'Elokai Netzor' before the final 'Yihyu Leratzon', and the chazzan says it as in Shacharit between 'Redeemer of Israel' and 'Heal us'. Those who practice the Priestly Blessing every day do so in this prayer, and when the Priestly Blessing is not performed, the chazzan recites the Priestly Blessing.

If the fast is postponed, Tachanun and 'Avinu Malkeinu' are said.

The Rebbe reinstated the old custom (originating in the Mishna) to say 'words of admonishment' after Mincha on a public fast day: "It is worthwhile to remind people of the above custom, that in places where it is possible, they should say after Mincha (a few words, at least) 'words of admonishment', or a Psalm appropriate for these matters, and in places where due to the burden on the congregation [or due to interruption of work, and the like] it is impossible to do so - at least they should meditate on the concept of 'words of admonishment', and since 'the Merciful One desires the heart' - especially matters related to teshuva, where 'the main aspect of teshuva is in the heart' - indeed 'a good thought, the Holy One, blessed be He, combines with deed'."