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Adar, Times Two

The Hebrew month of Adar is the sixth month on the Jewish calendar. It is a month of happiness, for it is in Adar that we celebrate Purim, the victory of the Jews against the genocidal plot of the evil Haman in Persia.

This year, however, is a leap year. Therefore, the Jewish people get not one month of Adar, but two –– Adar Aleph and Adar Beit.

Adar Aleph comes first. It started yesterday, on February 7.

Adar Beit, the “real” Adar according to a Mishnah that explains Purim should be celebrated in Adar Beit, is a 29-day month. Adar Aleph is 30 days.

Someone born in Adar during a leap year, whether during Aleph or Beit, will celebrate his birthday during the regular month of Adar. However, because Adar Aleph is longer than Adar Beit, a person born on the 30th of the month would celebrate his birthday on the first of the Hebrew month of Nisan during a non-leap year.

We add an Adar because in ancient times the Jewish calendar started in Nisan, making Adar the last month, as opposed to the sixth. It was only natural to add the extra month needed to keep the calendar in check at the end of the year.

For more on why we add an extra month, see next week’s “Judaism 101.”