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2 Adars - 2 Birthdays - 2 Yahrtzeits?
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<Name@Withheld> wrote
Dear Rabbi,If one's relative passed away in Adar of a regular year when there is only one Adar, in which month is the Yahrtzeit in a leap year, which has two Adars, Adar I and Adar II.? If a boy was born in Adar of a regular year, but his Barmitzvah falls in a leap year, in which month will he celebrate his Barmitzvah?
Dear <Name@Withheld>,
The Jewish calender is a lunar based calendar. So the first of the month coincides with the first appearance of the new moon, the 15th coincides with the full moon and so on. Since the solar year is 11 days longer than the lunar year (365 vs. 354), the Jewish year is adjusted so that the festivals always fall in the correct season. Passover in Spring etc. This is done by adding a "leap month", so that a leap year has 13 months. This occurs 7 times over the course of 19 year cycles. (11 X 19 = 209. 209/30 = 7 approx.)When to observe a Yahrtzeit in a leap year will depend on which of the two Adars is considered the "main Adar," and which one is the extra month that was added in order to align the calendar. (see M.B.568:41)
The Shulcan Aruch (O.C. 568:7) contends that the second Adar is considered the "real Adar". Consequently, Sephardim observe Yahrtzeit in Adar II.
However, the Rema mentions an opinion that the real Adar is Adar I, but that many people observe Yahrtzeit in both Adar I and Adar II. The accepted custom amongst Askenazim is to observe the Yahrtzeit on both dates. (see biur HaGra).
One would expect there to be a similar debate regarding which month to celebrate Purim. However, Purim is celebrated in Adar II according to all opinions. This is because Purim must take place in the month preceding Pesach. This concept is known as "Masmich Geulah L'Geulah" - connecting the two redemptions. (Gemarah Megillah 6b). Purim is also connected to Pesach with the four special Haftorot.
According to all opinions, the Barmitzvah of a boy born in Adar of a regular year will take place in Adar II, (Shulcan Aruch O.C. 55:9- 10). The Barmitzvah must take place thirteen whole years after the boy was born. Even if Adar II is not considered the main Adar, it is certainly considered part of the year. Accordingly, a boy has not reached his full thirteen years until the equivalent date in Adar II. The same guidelines apply for a BatMitzvah and all birthdays.
Note that a boy born in Adar I of a leap year, will celebrate his BarMitzvah in Adar I, if his thirteenth year turns out to be a leap year, as Adar I is actually thirteen full years since his birth.
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