The Mystical Month To Come

CALENDAR REMINDERS

1 Adar Sheni (March 7-8) - Second Day ROSH CHODESH

2 Adar Sheni (March 8-9) Shabbat Pekudei -- Shabbat Chazak (concluding the book of Sh'mot) -- Torah Reading: Exodus - Ex 38:21-40:38; Haftorah: Kings I 7:51-8:21

7 Adar Sheni (March 14) The birthday as well as the yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu.

9 Adar Sheni (March 16) Shabbat Vayikra, Shabbat Zachor -- Remember!
Torah Reading: Lev.1:1-5:26, Maftir: Deut. 25:17-19; Haftarah: Samuel 5:1-34
This is the only Shabbat each year that every man and woman is obligated (according to most authorities) by Torah law to go to shul. On this day, Zachor is appended to the weekly Torah reading. By hearing it read publicly on the Shabbat immediately preceding Purim, we fulfill the Torah commandment in it: "Remember what Amalek [the ancestor and inspiration of Haman, the villain of Purim] did to you."

13 Adar Sheni (March 20) The fast of Esther -- The fast starts before dawn and ends after dark. No eating or drinking. Special services at shul morning and afternoon. The money saved by not eating should go to charity; the time, to Torah-study and mitzvot-performance

14 Adar Sheni (Wed. night March 20- Thur. March 21) PURIM!
a. Hear a public reading of the Scroll of Esther in the evening and again during the day.
b. Give money [matanot l'evyonim] to at least 2 needy individuals.
c. Send (via a third party) a gift [mishlo'ach manot] of 2 or more kinds of ready-to-eat foods and/or drink to at least 1 friend (not a relative).
d. Celebrate at a festive day-time meal with bread, good food, and plenty of wine.
e. Add "Al HaNissim" to the Amidah prayers and to the Blessings-After-Meals.
For more on Purim click here

15 Adar Sheni (Thud.night March 21- Fri. March 22) SHUSHAN PURIM! in Jerusalem. Inhabitants of cities that were important enough to be surrounded by walls at the time of the Jews' entrance into the Holy Land in the year 2488 after Creation, celebrate Purim one day later than everyone else (see Esther 9:17-19). Prime example: Jerusalem. The status of Tsfat and several other cities in Israel is unclear, so the day is celebrated somewhat in addition to regular-Purim, "just-in-case."

16 Adar Sheni (March 22-23) Shabbat Tzav, Torah Reading: Lev. 6:1-8:36; Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3;9:22,23

23 Adar Sheni (March 29-30) Shabbat Shimini, Parshat Para: Torah Reading: Lev. 9:1-11:47; Maftir- Num. 19:1-22; Haftorah: Ezekiel 36:16-18

For Ascent Seminars and Shabbatons, click here