THE MONTH OF ADAR
The month of Adar is the last month of the year counting from Nisan and is referred to in Tanach -- TaNaK / Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim -- (abbreviation for Torah, Prophets and Writings) this way. Even in the event of a leap year, when a second Adar is added to the regular twelve months, the second Adar is also called the twelfth month. Thus, it is written in Megilat Esther: 'And in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar;' which, according to Tradition, was the second Adar of a leap year. "Rosh Chodesh" Of Adar The twelve-month sequence of months making up the Hebrew Calendar is as follows: Nisan Note: In an ordinary (that is, non-leap) year, there is only one Adar, namely Adar I. In a leap year, there are two Adar's: Adar I and Adar II. The schedule for leap and non-leap years won't be discussed here, because it's somewhat complicated, and not really relevant here. The months preceding and following the Adar's, namely Shevat and Nisan, as well as the Adar's, have been bolded. General Principle: Adar I (and we only refer to an Adar as Adar I when there is also an Adar II) is always "full;" that is, it contains thirty days. Also, the Adar closest to Nisan (either regular Adar in a non-leap year, or Adar II in a leap year) is always "not full;" that is, twenty nine days. Thus, the following statements are true: In a regular (non-leap) year, the following is true:
In a leap year, the following is true:
The "Personality" of Adar Adar is the happiest, most joyous month of the Hebrew calendar. In fact, its motto is "When Adar comes, joy is increased." The abundance of joy in Adar is primarily due to the presence within the month of Purim. That holiday commemorates the salvation of the Jewish People from a genocidal plot by the wicked Haman, whereby he hoped to destroy the Jewish People, G-d Forbid, completely. Because of our fasting and repentance, we were able to have that heavenly decree, if not the earthly one, torn up (a decree of Achashverosh could, of course, never be rescinded). Haman achieved the result, thank G-d, of having his plot overturned ("venahapoch hu," "it was overturned" - a theme of Purim) upon himself. Our last picture of him and his ten sons are of them dangling from the very gallows which he had prepared for Mordechai, a leader of the Jews. Even though we are instructed in Pirkei Avot (Chapter 4, Mishnah 24) by Shmuel HaKatan, "When your enemy falls, do not be happy, and when he stumbles, let your heart not rejoice," an exception is made in the case of Haman. He represents the spirit of absolute (or nearly absolute) evil, as did his infamous ancestor, Amalek, founder of the nation which attacked the weakest of the Jews on their way out of Mitzrayim. Then the Jewish People were fresh from the Miracle of the Splitting of the sea, and their faith was still fragile, while fear of the Jews and of the awesome might of their G-d was universal among all the other nations of the world. The Opposite of Chodesh Av The Sages have said: 'Just as joy is reduced from the start of Av, likewise, is joy increased at the start of Adar.' Rav Papa said: 'Therefore, a Jew engaged in litigation with a non-Jew, should avoid him during Av, which is a time of ill omen for him; and should make himself available during Adar, which is a fortunate time for him' (Ta'anit 29). For, 'Heaven revolves merit towards a day of merit,' And joy towards a day of joy. And Adar is the most joyous of all months, so much so that no evil anti-Semitic eye can affect its blessing. When Haman wanted to discover through astrology which month would be the most 'vulnerable for Israel', he cast lots to choose the month and day. The lot fell upon the month of Adar. When Haman's plot was foiled, Adar was transformed for the Jews from a month of grief and mourning to one of rejoicing and festivity; their happiness was all the greater. And the month of Adar became the very symbol of joy to them.
520.gif){kind=small} Moshe Rabbeinu and Torah ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The OU.ORG Adar section is adapted with permission from The Book of Our Heritage by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov and other sources. The Seventh of Adar http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/adar/seventh.htm The 7th of Adar was the day on which Moshe Rabeinu (the Biblical Moses) was born, and also the day on which he died exactly 120 years later. His burial place is unknown. The pious have the custom of fasting this day and saying a special prayer or "Tikun for the seventh of Adar" that is found in the siddur (Jewish prayerbook). For the death of the righteous is atonement, and fasting, repentance and prayer likewise atone for Israel. When both types of atonement occur together, total forgiveness is achieved for the people of Israel. In a leap year, which contains two Adars, this fast is generally observed the second Adar, with some observing the fast the first Adar also. It is customary in many Jewish communities for the Chevrah Kadisha (burial society) to observe the seventh of Adar as a day of gathering for its members. A festive banquet is held and the entire community participates. Gaba'im (officials) are appointed, and regulations are adopted for the coming year. The reason for this custom reflects praise upon Israel. Most working people rejoice when work increases, and are saddened when their work diminishes. The Chevrah Kadisha, however, never rejoice in their work for obvious reasons. On the seventh of Adar their work ceased. For upon the death of Moshe Rabenu no creature was engaged in his burial, except G-d in His Glory alone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From a past email: ~The Seventh of Adar~ The Seventh of Adar is the day on which Moshe Rabeinu (Moses our Rabbi/our Teacher) was born, and the day on which he passed away 120 years later. G-d "completes the years of the righteous" to the day and the month, as the verse (Shemot / Exodus 23:26) states: "I shall complete the number of your days". It is customary among the pious and meticulous to fast on the seventh of Adar, and to recite the special Tikkun prayer for the day, which can be found in some siddurim (prayer books). On the other hand in many congregations, there is a custom to make Siyumim (Completion of Torah book/Study - This requires festivities to commerate the accompliment of the study ) followed by a Seudah (Festive meal) in the honour of Moshe Rabbeinu. The death of the righteous is considered a source of atonement, as are fasting, prayer, and repentance. When these sources of atonement are combined, Israel achieves complete forgiveness. On the seventh of Adar, every man should take to heart two concerns, and should resolve to be constantly aware of them: waiting for salvation and fearing divine judgement. (The Book of our Heritage) Given By: Rabbi Yedidel Shabbat Shalom! Kollel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OU on Moshe Rabbeinu: "Moshe" - the individual who became, by his own great effort, the greatest human being who ever lived; Chosen by G-d to lead the Jewish People out of Egypt, and to be main Teacher of Torah to the Jewish People. Called "Moshe Rabbeinu," Moshe our "Master," or "Teacher," because he was the teacher par excellence of all of Jewish History. Brother of Aharon and Miriam; son of Amram and Yocheved; raised in the palace of Pharaoh because rescued from the Nile by the daughter of Pharaoh. Called "Master of the Prophets," the "humblest of men," and, by G-d, "he is trustworthy in all of My Palace." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Torah Text: Devarim/Deuteronomy 34:10-12: And there was no other prophet who arose in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, as manifested by all the signs and wonders, which the Lord had sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and all his servants, and to all his land, and all the strong hand, and all the great awe, which Moses performed before the eyes of all Israel. Moshe Rabeinu, was the only one who spoke face to face to Hashem and he was the greatest prophet that ever lived and will live. There is no other like or than Moshe Rabbeinu/our Teacher/our Master. He was born and past away on the same day which alludes to that he completed his task in this world. Please note that it is never a good thing when a sage leaves this world even though it atones the world in some way since they pay for us to keep on going. A good Tehilim to say in honor of Moshe Rabbeinu on 7 of Adar may be Tehilim/Psalm 90 |
Above video begins with Tehilim/Psalm 77 and later, at 5:03 minutes into the video, Tehilim/Psalm 90
PURIM Above video contains the full reading of Megilat Esther / Scroll of Esther in a 3 Part Video playlist
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"Behind the Mask" - Aish's one minute film about Purim
"Purim Potential" 2min about brotherhood on Purim
Hilulah Day | Name (Click on the name to view more info.) |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bible commentator, astrologer, translator from Arabic into Hebrew, grammarian, philosopher, poet. |
| 2 | Kabbalist |
| 2 | Student of the famed kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi - the RASHASH. |
| 3 | Halachist and Kabbalist. |
| 4 | Student of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch, a tzaddik nistar. |
| 4 | Rav Achai Bar Rav Hunah An Amorah- Torah scholar of Talmudic era. Passed away in the year 506. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | Student of the Baal Shem Tov. |
| 6 | Son of the famous kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Azulai. |
| 7 | |
| 11 | Halachist, Kabbalist, historian and bibliographer. |
| 11 | Father of Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli and Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk. |
| 13 | Ethicist, Kabbalist |
| 18 | Chassidic leader |
| 20 | |
| 21 | A major Chassidic leader, and kabbalist. |
| 25 | Brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov. |
| 27 | Kabbalist, head of the Jewish court in Amsterdam. |
| 29 | Chassidic leader |
Rabbi Pinson shares insight about the month of Adar
