This Hebrew Festival year that we are about to finish is a normal twelve month festival year. But there is the occasional time (on a set schedule) when the Hebrew year requires the addition of a thirteenth month. To explain it concisely, here is an excerpt from the website, Judaism 101; “A year with 13 months is referred to in the Hebrew as Shanan Me’uberet (pronounded shah-NAH-meh-oo-BEH-reht), literally: a pregnant year. In English, we commonly call it a leap year. The additional month is known as Adar I. Adar II is the “real” Adar, the one in which Purim is celebrated.”[i]
Adar II and the tribe of Levi are unique in this system of connecting a Hebrew tribe with a Hebrew month. It’s a fascinating account of which we will only delve into the surface layer for this article. But even the surface layer will be fascinating indeed. Let’s get started.
The sages say that the uniqueness of the tribe of Levi is what connects it to this unique thirteenth month. How did the sages come up with this understanding? Firstly, we need to understand something about the tribe of Levi. Let’s look at the blessings which Jacob gave to his son Levi and which Moses gave to the tribe of Levi. Jacob’s blessing does not address Levi individually. Levi and his older brother Simeon are blessed together; “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. “Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. “Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5-7). Literally, Jacob foresaw the nature of Levi as a tribe that is very zealous and steadfast in its belief in HaShem’s upright way to live – to the point of intolerance towards any straying from the commands (i.e. -justice for Dinah). Meanwhile, Moses saw something within Levi that was unique, because he saw a righteous attribute in their zealousness and steadfastness. (i.e. – the golden calf incident where they did not take part). Levi’s sense of right and wrong were clearly evident towards both worship towards HaShem and kindness towards fellow man. This will be evident further along with the information about the 613 mitzvats.
As stated earlier, this is the month we celebrate Purim. What is the story of Purim about? In a nutshell, it is the story of the near extermination of all the Jews in the kingdom of Persia. Even though the bad guy (Haman) was the tool used to set this all up, many sages believe that this death sentence was set about as punishment for the Jews taking part in the Persian king’s celebrations. Here’s their reasoning for this:
We know that the 613 mitzvos (commandments) are broken up into two segments. There are commands that are between man and HaShem (bein adam l’Makom) and commands that are between man and man (bein adam l’chaveiro). The Jews at the time of Hadassah (Esther) and Mordechai apparently broke bein adam l’Makom (sinned against HaShem). Except for the intercession and fasting by Mordechai and Hadassah, this annihilation would have happened. As a result, we celebrate/remember our repentance and salvation from this event by emphasizing the commands of man to man (giving to the poor and to one another).
But why focus on keeping the commands of man to man at this time (bein adam l’chaveiro)?
This celebration of Purim is following the example of the tribe of Levi. Levi understood how equally important are the command segments between man and HaShem and between man and man. This is highlighted through their example during the golden calf incident. It is clearly evident that they realized that connection. They knew that getting involved with the golden calf would result in a sin against HaShem (disobeying the second command to have no other gods before Him). Also, it would mean sinning against fellow man. If they joining in and sinned against HaShem in this manner, this would bring about annihilation of all Israel – so they remained as a remnant and a hope of life. It is for this reason that we read in Exodus 32:35-38 that the sons of Levi stood beside Moses when he asked “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” In addition, we just need to remember the blessing that Jacob bestowed upon Levi. The three thousand who died as a result of the golden calf incident was a manifestation of that very blessing.
So, how does this amazing set of attributes of connecting man with HaShem as well and man with man relate to Adar II? Even though Adar II is classified as the regular month and Adar I is the inserted month during a leap year, Adar II exemplifies both the relationship between man and HaShem and relationship between man and man. It is always the final month of the Festival year and it leads us to the first month of the next Festival year. In this manner, this regular month (whether it is identified as Adar I in a regular year or Adar II in a long year), acts as a connection – a time to do two things to enhance connectivity or in more modern terms, unity. One, it gives us the time to reflect on what we have done during the past year with our relationships with Hashem and with fellow man. And two, it gives us the time to assess our weaknesses from the last year and then look forward to the upcoming year to develop a stronger connection and unity with Him and with our fellow man. In many ways… it’s time to ‘Purim’.
As a quick extra point to mention. The tribe of Levi became the tribe chosen by HaShem to act as the connector between man and HaShem through the sacrifices that were brought to the Tabernacle. But some of the sacrifices were also between man with man. Levi officiated at both types. Levi’s attribute of connecting both realms is strong made evident by their intercessory service – and this is again clearly made evident by the first act that Aaron as High Priest (of the tribe of Levi) performs… the service of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).[ii]
[i] http://www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm
[ii] https://bible.org/seriespage/day-atonement-leviticus-16
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