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pp. 1340-1341
Guide to the Jewish Year
אֲדָר
Visible layers
Seven Species associated with the land of Israel, namely, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates [משנ״ב, שם: לא].
שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת שְׁקָלִים
Shabbat Parashat Shekalim (Mevarkhim Ḥodesh Adar)
181 Torah reading: On the Shabbat preceding Rosh Ḥodesh Adar (in a leap year, Rosh Ḥodesh Adar II), a second Torah scroll is taken from the Ark. From it, Parashat Shekalim, the first of four special Maftir-Haftara units (אַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת), is read. Maftir: Ex. 30:11–16. Haftara: II Kings 12:1–17 [שו״ע או״ח, תרפה:א]. אָב הָרַחֲמִים is omitted.
182 When Rosh Ḥodesh Adar (in a leap year, Rosh Ḥodesh Adar II) falls on Shabbat, three Torah scrolls are taken from the Ark. Six men are called up to the first scroll and the portion of the week is read. A seventh man is called to the second scroll for the reading of Num. 28:9–15. Half Kaddish is said. Maftir (Ex. 30:11–16) is read from the third scroll. Haftara is II Kings 12:1–17 [שם]. אָב הָרַחֲמִים is omitted.
אֲדָר
ADAR
פּוּרִים קָטָן
Purim Katan (14th–15th of Adar I)
183 In a leap year, on the dates during Adar I corresponding to Purim and Shushan Purim, both Taḥanun and לַמְנַצֵּחַ are omitted [שו״ע או״ח, תרצז:א].
שַׁבָּת פָּרָשַׁת זָכוֹר
Shabbat Parashat Zakhor (Shabbat preceding Purim)
184 There is an affirmative Torah obligation to recall the actions of Amalek, in attacking the children of Israel after the exodus from Egypt [שו״ע או״ח, קלז:א]. This mitzva is fulfilled on the Shabbat preceding Purim, when a second Torah scroll is taken from the Ark, from which Parashat Zakhor (Deut. 25:17–19), the second of the four special Maftir-Haftara units (אַרְבַּע פָּרָשִׁיּוֹת), is read. Haftara: I Sam. 15:2–34 [שו״ע או״ח, תרפה:ב]. אָב הָרַחֲמִים is omitted.
185 Because men and women are equally obligated to perform this mitzva, many congregations organize an additional reading of Parashat Zakhor for those who missed the first reading.
תַּעֲנִית אֶסְתֵּר
Fast of Esther (13th of Adar)
186 This fast commemorates Esther's fast prior to going to see King Ahasuerus without an invitation (Esther 4:15–16). Unlike other fast days, the fast of Esther is considered a custom, and anyone who experiences serious discomfort is permitted to eat or drink [רמ״א או״ח, תרפו:ב].
187 If the 13th of Adar falls on Shabbat, the fast is observed on the preceding Thursday [שו״ע, שם].
188 The fast begins at dawn (see law 48).
189 Prayers as for the 10th of Tevet (see laws 175–178), except that Avinu Malkenu and Taḥanun are not said during Minḥa. However, if the 13th of Adar falls on Shabbat and the fast is moved back to Thursday, Avinu Malkenu and Taḥanun are said.
פּוּרִים
Purim (14th of Adar)
190 On Purim, וְעַל הַנִּסִּים is added to the Amida in Ma'ariv, Shaḥarit and Minḥa, as well as the second blessing of Birkat HaMazon. If one forgets to say וְעַל הַנִּסִּים, one does not repeat the Amida or Birkat HaMazon [שו״ע או״ח, תרצג:ב].
191 Ma'ariv: for weekdays. After recitation of the Amida, the Shaliaḥ Tzibbur says the Full Kaddish. The Reader of the Megilla says three blessings: (1) עַל מִקְרָא מְגִלָּה ("about reading the Megilla"), (2) שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים ("Who performed miracles") and (3) שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ (page 957). The Megilla is read and the concluding blessing, הָרָב אֶת רִיבֵנוּ, is said. The congregation says אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיא and concludes with a joyous singing of שׁוֹשַׁנַּת יַעֲקֹב. The Shaliaḥ Tzibbur leads the congregation in saying וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ (page 307). On Motza'ei Shabbat, this is preceded by וִיהִי נֹעַם (page 305) [שו״ע או״ח, תרצג:א]. This is followed by Full Kaddish (omitting the sentence beginning תִּתְקַבַּל), Psalm 121, Mourner's Kaddish, Barekhu and Aleinu [משנ״ב, שם:א]. On Motza'ei Shabbat, Havdala is said before Aleinu [ערוה״ש, שם:ג].
192 Women are obligated to hear the reading of the Megilla [שו״ע או״ח, תרפט:א].
193 Shaḥarit: for weekdays. After the Repetition of the Amida, the Shaliaḥ Tzibbur says Half Kaddish and the Torah is taken from the Ark. The Torah reading (page 1176) is followed by Half Kaddish and returning the Torah to the Ark [שו״ע או״ח, תרצג:ד]. The Megilla reading is repeated, with the introductory blessings and the concluding blessing. אֲשֶׁר הֵנִיא is not said a second time, but שׁוֹשַׁנַּת יַעֲקֹב is. The congregation says Ashrei and וּבָא לְצִיּוֹן, followed by Full Kaddish and the service ends as for weekdays (page 177).
194 On Purim day, one is commanded to fulfill the mitzvot of מַתָּנוֹת לָאֶבְיוֹנִים (gifts to the poor – tzedaka given to at least two poor people) [שו״ע או״ח, תרצד:א]; מִשְׁלוֹחַ מָנוֹת (sending at least two portions of food to one person) [שם, תרצה:ד]; and סְעוּדַת פּוּרִים (the Purim feast), at which one should drink "until he cannot distinguish between 'Cursed be Haman' and 'Blessed be Mordekhai'" [שם, תרצה:ב].