Question:
What are some important Halachos pertaining to the month of Adar?
Answer:
Chazal tell us “Mishnichnas Adar Marbim BeSimcha” that Adar brings with it happiness. As such, if one has a court case with a non-Jew one should try to have it during this month. Chasom Sofer 160 writes that the Rambam doesn’t quote this halacha of having court cases during this month, because Ein Mazal LeYisrael (there are no superstitions in Israel). However this halacha is brought down by many Achronim including Toras HaMoadim (Purim 1:1).
MeSheNichNas Adar Marbim BeSimcha really refers to removing sadness and worry but not necessarily including activities of simcha. Many hold that MeSheNichNas Adar Marbim BeSimcha applies to purim koton in the first Adar during a leap year.
Beginning Rosh Chodesh Adar, some have the custom to hang a sign which says “Mishnichnas Adar Marbim Brsimcha.” Some have the custom to place this sign covering the “Zecher Lechurban” unfinished part of a wall that is usually left in the home. Some have a custom to fast on the seventh of Adar for the yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbenu. If one plans on fasting one needs to accept it upon oneself in Mincha the day before. Tanis 12a says that for every fast one needs to accept it the day before otherwise it doesn’t count as a fast, except for a Tanis Tzibbur. This is also the opinion of Rambam (Tanis 1:10), Tur and Shulchan Aruch 562:5.
If it’s a leap year one should fast in the second Adar, yet Ashkenazim have what to rely on to fast in the first Adar. Even if there are ten fasting in the minyan it’s considered a Tanit Yochid, meaning the Shaliach Tzibbur can only say Anenu in Shema Kolenu and not as it’s own brocha, and the minyan shouldn’t take out a Torah to read Vayichal. Even if the Kohanim are fasting they should not do Nesias Kapayim at Mincha. Some have a custom to learn extra Torah on the seventh of Adar. On a leap year it is proper to learn extra also on the seventh of the first Adar. Some have the minhag to fast on the ninth of Adar because that was the day that Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel became divided.
If one is going out to the army or on a boat voyage where there will not be a kosher megilla, one should nevertheless endeavor to read the megillah in the appropriate time. One is allowed to read the megilla even at the beginning of the month but one shouldn’t say the blessing at that point. However, the seudah of purim and mishloach manos and matanos le’evyonim are only performed in their appropriate time.In a leap year, the 14th and 15th of Adar II is celebrated as Purim, while the 14th and 15th of Adar I are Purim Katan. One can not say Tachanun. fast, or eulogize on Purim Katan.
All agree one may eulogize a Talmud Chacham at the Levaya on Purim Katan.There is no Tachanun on the Mincha the day before Purim Katan. One doesn’t say Al HaNissim on Purim Katan but if one did say it, one doesn’t have to repeat. Some say to increase festivity and to increase in a meal on Purim Katan.
It is permitted to work on Purim Katan. Some have the minhag to give Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel before Mincha of Taanit Ester, while some have the minhag to give it after Mincha but before reading of the Megillah. One should make sure to call the coins one is giving Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel and not Machsit HaShekel so people don’t think it is hekdesh.
According to Sephardim, one should give an amount worth 9 grams of pure silver. It’s preferable to give it in the form of 3 coins, and if 3 coins are less than 9 grams one should supplement that amount up to the value of 9 grams.
The Ashkenazic minhag is to give three coins which are half the value of the common coin in that time and place. In America, the minhag is to give three half dollars, yet some say it’s preferable to give coins which have 9 grams of silver. In Israel, some say that one can use half dollars since it’s accepted money and others argue that it shouldn’t be used because it’s not commonly used in Israel. Rather some say that one should use 3 half shekels
Some say one should give a Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel for anyone above Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but some say that one only needs to give for those above the age of 20. It’s preferable to follow the first opinion.
Some say that women are obligated in this mitzvah and some exempt them. Nonetheless, everyone agrees that it is preferable for women to give Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel. It’s preferable to give for one’s small children.Some say that the money should be given to poor people, some say it should be given to the upkeep of the Shul, and some say that it should be given to Yeshivas or establishments of Torah. Someone who separates a tenth of one’s income for Tzedaka (Maaser) shouldn’t use that money for Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel nor for Matanot LeEvyonim. |