WORD OF THE MONTH

A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem...

Adar, as the last month of the year, is also the preparatory month for the "first of the months of the year" that follows it — Nissan. From the mishna in Sh'kalim, we see that the month was used to collect the Silver Half-Shekels from the people, so that communal needs of the Beit HaMikdash could be purchased from the new fund for the coming Beit HaMikdash year. 

In the time of Sanhedrin, past and future, it is during Adar that the decision is (usually) made about postponing Nissan (and thereby, Pesach) by intercalating (adding an extra month) to the current year. This too is a function of Adar that indicates its role as Preparer for Nissan. 

And then there is the statement in Shulchan Aruch that one should start reviewing the laws of Pesach 30 days before the Chag. It's really more than that. Our whole attention turns towards Pesach at this midpoint of Adar. Getting the house ready, making plans, doing shopping, inviting company, giving extra Tzedaka, (see Rite & Reason, page ), gaining new insights into the Hagada, preparing to make the coming Pesach your best one yet, from many different angles.