אדר
Rosh Chodesh Adar
♓ Pisces (Dagim / דגים) · Winter/Spring · Tribe of Naphtali · February–March
Rosh Chodesh Adar dates will be available soon. Check back or view the full Rosh Chodesh calendar.
About
The Month of Adar
"When Adar enters, joy increases" (Mishnah Ta’anit 29a). Adar is the happiest month in the Hebrew calendar, centered on the festival of Purim. The Book of Esther recounts how Queen Esther and Mordechai saved the Jewish people from Haman’s decree. It is a month of reversals — turning sorrow to joy and mourning to celebration.
Significance
Rosh Chodesh Adar
Rosh Chodesh Adar is the official start of the increase in joy. The Talmud (Megillah 29a) teaches that from the first of Adar, we increase in simcha (joy). Court cases with non-Jews were considered more favorable during Adar because of the month’s mazal (good fortune). Rosh Chodesh Adar signals the countdown to Purim.
Spiritual Themes
Themes of Adar
Adar teaches the power of hidden miracles and divine providence. In the Purim story, God’s name is never mentioned — yet His hand guides every event. The Fish (Dagim) are hidden beneath the water, protected from the evil eye, just as God’s presence is hidden but ever-present. Joy in Adar comes from recognizing that nothing is coincidental.
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Mazal
Pisces (Dagim / דגים)
Tribe
Naphtali
Season
Winter/Spring
Observances
Customs of Adar
- •Increasing joy throughout the month
- •Purim: reading the Megillah (Book of Esther) twice
- •Mishloach Manot: sending food gifts to friends
- •Matanot La’Evyonim: giving charity to the poor
- •Se’udat Purim: the festive Purim meal
- •Costumes and celebration
History
Historical Events in Adar
- •Purim: salvation from Haman’s decree (~357 BCE)
- •Moses was born and died (7 Adar)
- •Construction of the Tabernacle was completed (Adar)
Upcoming