We previously discussed that there is a machlokes if a nonspecific mention of Adar is referring to the 1st or 2nd Adar.
At first glance, it would seem that the underlying question is: which is the regular Adar, and which is the addition? Is the 1st Adar the additional Adar, or the 2nd Adar? However, that conclusion is incorrect, because there are many places where this understanding of the halacha will not follow through.
Yartzeit
One example is when it comes to calculating the correct date for a yartzeit. If one’s parent passed away during Adar of a regular year, and a subsequent year has two Adars, when is the yartzeit kept: in the 1st Adar or in the 2nd Adar? The Mechaber writes that it should be kept in the 2nd Adar. This seems to contradict what he rules for a get that one must be specific for both. Conversely, the Rama rules that one should either fast in the 1st Adar or possibly in both Adars. This also seems to differ from what he rules for a get, that the first Adar can be written without being specific.
Bar Mitzvah
A similar question can be raised when it comes to calculating the date for a bar mitzvah. If a boy was born during Adar of a regular year, and the year of his bar mitzvah is a leap year, when does the boy become bar mitzvah: in the 1st Adar or in the 2nd Adar? The Rama (55:10) rules that the bar mitzvah should be in the 2nd Adar. This would seemingly imply that the 2nd Adar is the main one, a contradiction to his position in how to write a get.
How the Term Adar is Used
The answer to these questions can be found in the short words of the Biur Hagra (O”Ch 568:7) and the Chasam Sofer (Shu”t Chasam Sofer O”C 163), who also elaborates on this point. They explain that there are two separate discussions. One question is when is it halachically considered the regular Adar. The second question is how the term Adar is used by people, and that may be a different story. The question of bar mitzvah and yartzheit is when the calendar date has arrived, which may be the 2nd Adar, or possibly even both. Nedarim and shtaros, on the other hand, are different. Those things depend on the way the term Adar is used by people, not what it is in essence. When a person promises to do something, his intention is based on how the term Adar is used.
In Conclusion
There is a fundamental difference between when it is halachically considered the regular Adar and how the term Adar is used by people. The question of bar mitzvah and yartzheit is when the calendar date has arrived, which may be the 2nd Adar, or possibly even both. But what about “Mi’she’nichnas Adar marbin b’simcha – at the advent of Adar one should add to rejoicing” – does that begin in the 1st Adar or the 2ndAdar?
To be continued...
Rabbi Scheiner
