Rabbis Corner – Purim Katan Edition

Dear Friends,
Today is the 14th day of Adar 1 in the Hebrew calendar, creating the calendrical quick known as “Purim Katan” or “small Purim.” Ordinarily, the holiday of Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, but when there is a leap year and the moth of Adar is doubled, Purim is celebrated in the second one, which leaves the first month has having Purim Katan.

While not named as such, the notion of a Purim Katan dates back to the Mishna. M. Megillah 1:4 states that “If the megillah has been read in the first Adar and the year has subsequently been prolonged, it is read again in the second Adar.” Before the calendar had been set, a court could create a leap year by creating a new month of Adar. In the unusual event that Purim had already been commemorated, the court could have effectively decreed that Purim be celebrated again the following month!

The Mishna continues saying that “There is no difference between the first Adar and the second Adar save only in the reading of the megillah and the distribution of gifts to the poor” meaning that of the four rabbinic obligations associated with Purim only the two of Megillah and gifts to the poor are repeated in the second Adar. In discussing this Mishna, the Talmud in B. Megilah 6b ultimately concludes that all mitzvot associated with Purim done in the first month carry over to the second with the exception of the Megillah.

Since the Hebrew calendar was set, we need not be concerned with a new Adar being sprung upon us at the last minute (though I’m sure we’d all appreciate the extra time before Pesach) and now that we know in advance when there is a second Adar we simply fulfill everything at once.

But if someone has the urge to take an extra lechayim today, far be it from me to stop you (though I’d also suggest performing matanot le’evyonim to go along with it)

Shabbat Shalom and Purim Katan Sameach!