Adar is the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to February-March in the Gregorian calendar. It holds significant importance in the Jewish tradition and biblical history, particularly as it relates to the events recorded in the Book of Esther.

Biblical References and Significance

The month of Adar is most prominently mentioned in the Book of Esther, where it is the setting for the Jewish festival of Purim. This festival commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them, as orchestrated by Haman, an official in the Persian Empire. Esther 3:7 states, "In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar."

The narrative continues to describe how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai intervened, leading to the salvation of the Jews. Esther 9:1 records, "On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but the opposite occurred, and the Jews overpowered those who hated them."

Cultural and Religious Observances

Purim, celebrated on the 14th and 15th of Adar, is a time of feasting, rejoicing, and giving gifts to one another and to the poor. Esther 9:22 describes the observance: "as the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. They were to observe them as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor."

In leap years of the Hebrew calendar, an additional month, Adar II, is added to ensure the calendar remains aligned with the solar year. In such years, Purim is celebrated in Adar II, while the first Adar, known as Adar I, is considered a "pregnant" month.

Historical Context

Adar's significance extends beyond the biblical narrative. Historically, it was a time when the Jewish people prepared for the Passover, which occurs in the following month of Nisan. The events of Purim, therefore, serve as a prelude to the redemption celebrated during Passover, highlighting themes of deliverance and divine providence.

Symbolism and Themes

The month of Adar is associated with joy and celebration, as it marks a period of triumph over adversity. The account of Esther emphasizes themes of courage, faith, and the unseen hand of God working through human actions to bring about His purposes. The casting of lots, or "Pur," which determined the date of the Jews' intended destruction, underscores the belief in divine sovereignty over chance and fate.

Adar, therefore, is a month that encapsulates the resilience of the Jewish people and the faithfulness of God in preserving His chosen people throughout history.