Adar

Adar

Adar is the last month in the Jewish calendar, but it is also a leap year month. Seven times out of a 19-year cycle, Adar becomes Adar 1 and Adar 2, the first one being the insertion month and the last equivalent to the normal Adar month. These leap years are called שנה מאוברת (pregnant year).

From Chabad, “Adar is the official “happy month,” as is written: “As soon as Adar begins, increase in joy!” In a leap year, we have two months of extra happiness!” Adar is usually translated as glorious or honorable.

However, Adar can also mean FIRE though the Hebrew word ‘Esh אֵשׁ is generally used for fire.

On Adar we have Esther and Purim, a happy celebration of deliverance from the evil Haman of the Persian Empire in the past because of Queen Esther. We recite the following blessing, “Blessed are You, YaHVaH, Eloheynu, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us and brought us to this season.”

Simcha in the Shtetl – By Chaim Leib Zernitsky

Adar 1, the insertion month, is nothing special. All functions and celebrations of Adar will be done in Adar 2

© Copyright 2024, 2025, Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc. and Min. Donald H. Garrett.