The Joy of Adar
Counting from the first month of Nisan, Adar brings us to the final month on the calendar. We have taken a journey with Israel through the Biblical calendar. What started with the Exodus from Egypt in Nisan, continued through the sorrowful summer months of Tammuz, Av, and Elul, rejuvenated during the invigorating months of Tishrei, ends here with the joyous celebration of Purim in the month of Adar. Here, at the end of the year, we celebrate the victory of Queen Esther and the Jewish community of Persia over the schemes of the wretched Haman. Esther, taken into the highest...
TOPICSAdar, Esther, Haman, King Ahasuerus, Mordechai, party, Persia, Purim, victory
The Giving of Adar
As we come to the end of the cycle of months, you might make a double take at your Jewish calendar. No, it's not a typo or negligent editing. There are sometimes two months of Adar. Yes, it is true. Why? Because there are 7 leap years every 19 years in the Jewish calendar, and every leap year, the month of Adar is doubled. In order for Passover to fall during the spring,1 it is necessary to add a month to the calendar every so often to keep Passover from sliding back into winter. Imagine leaving Egypt in the already...
TOPICSAdar, charity, giving, mishloach manot, Purim, tzedakah
Giving, Mercy and Salvation
Before we begin the cycle of months again next month, we are privileged to remember and celebrate the events recorded in the Book of Esther. This celebration, which is in the middle of the month, is known as Purim, where the Holy One rescued the Jews from an evil decree. Also during this month, we remember the rededication of the temple after the Babylonian Exile. Ezra and Nehemiah led this Jewish return in rebuilding the temple with non-believers taunting them, but never the less, with the help of Hashem, they triumphed. On the third day of the month, Ezra and...
TOPICSAdar, charity, Esther, fasting, gifts, giving, loving-kindness, mercy, mishloach manot, Mordechai, Purim, salvation
