HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Purim Katan
Seven times every 19 years we observe a leap year when an entire month (Adar Alef) is added to the calendar. While Purim and all of its associated mitzvot are observed in the following month of Adar Bet, on the 14th day of Adar Alef we observe Purim Katan.
Unlike Purim, there are no mandatory observances to Purim Katan. Nevertheless, Purim Katan is a day on which eulogies and fasting are prohibited [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 697:1] and tachanun is not recited [ibid. and Mishna Berura note 2].
While most identify the source of these prohibitions as the Talmud [Megilla 5b] which quotes Megillat Taanit that whatever is forbidden on Adar Bet is also forbidden on Adar Alef, another possible source is the mishna [ibid. 7b] which states that there are no differences between the two Adars, except for the reading of the megillah and matanot l'evyonim. Based on this mishna, one can understand that all other things - such as simcha and even the seudah should occur on the 14th of both Adars [B'yitzchak Yikarei 676:5 and Nitei Gavriel Purim 16 note 18]. As a result, the Rema [Shulchan Aruch Orech Chaim 697:1] rules that we should have a larger meal and find added simcha on the 14th of Adar Alef.
Interestingly, based on the Talmud Yerushalmi [Megillah 1:5] the year of Purim was also a leap year, and the date that Haman planned to destroy the Jews was in Adar Alef based upon the verse [Esther 3:7] "the twelfth month, the month of Adar" (i.e. the Adar which is the twelfth month of the year and not the one that is the 13th month). However, the Chatam Sofer explained that what the Yerushalmi actually meant was that in that year, it should have been a leap year, but the Rabbis waiting until the following year to add an extra Adar. As a result, the miracle of Purim occurred in a regular year [Responsa Chatam Sofer Orech Chaim 1:163].
DVAR TORAH
“They shall take the gold, the turquoise, purple, and scarlet wool, and the linen.” (Shemot 28:5)
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wondered, what this verse is teaching. How else could Betzalel and Ohaliav have made all of utensils and materials of the Tabernacle if they didn't take these raw materials?
The answer he explained, begins wioth the fact that G-d wanted all of the sartisans to build the Tabernacle for they were endowed with a “spirit of wisdom.” But were it not for this verse, others could have collected and transferred the materials to them.
But G-d did not want this, because He wanted Betzalel and all of the artisans to be involved even in the mundane aspects of building the Mishkan - as a lesson to future leaders of the Jewish people. For while many people are willing to accept the authority and responsibility of a rabbi over “spiritual” matters, they might think that a rabbi is exempted from helping with the “mundane” affairs of a shul - from opening the doors to helping to raise the necessary funds. This taught Reb Moshe is all wrong - because just as the leadership were responsibilty to gather the materials for the Tabernacle, there is nobility and honor in fulfilling even mundane need of our spiritual and religious institutions.