יונה, פרק ג׳, פסוק ז׳

Following the king's personal example of removing his royal garments and wearing sackcloth, a public decree is issued to the entire nation [חומת אנך]. Although the people of Nineveh had already begun to correct their ways and repent independently, the king wanted to amplify and strengthen this movement [רד״ק]. He commanded that a proclamation be broadcast throughout the city with a loud cry [רש״י, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. This decree was founded on careful counsel, knowledge, and intellect [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. Furthermore, the fact that the order came from the king alongside his nobles shows that Nineveh was not an absolute monarchy, but rather a government that relied on a council of ministers acting in agreement with the ruler [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The proclamation demanded an absolute fast. The restriction against tasting anything served as a ban on even the smallest amount of food, ensuring that absolutely nothing would be eaten [מצודת ציון]. In a highly unusual move, this fast included not just the human population, but also the animals. The decree distinguished between different types of animals: the domestic pets kept indoors with humans, and the herds kept outside. To enforce the fast on the herds, a specific instruction was given to prevent the field animals from going out to pasture [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].

There are two complementary reasons for forcing the animals to share in this severe affliction. First, depriving the animals of food was meant to provoke distress and sadness among the people, helping to humble their hearts and push them toward sincere repentance [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Second, it reflected a profound sense of shared fate. Because the impending ruin of the city would destroy both humans and animals alike, the animals were drafted into the collective public effort to prevent the disaster [ביאור שטיינזלץ].