Related reading: The Month of Adar: Calendar, Holidays, Torah Portions, and Meaning and The Month of Iyar: Calendar, Holidays, Torah Portions, and Meaning.
Adar II appears only in a Hebrew leap year, and it is the month in which Purim is actually observed. If Adar I is a month of preparation, Adar II is the month when that preparation becomes visible: the Book of Esther, the Fast of Esther, mishloach manot, gifts to the poor, the Purim meal, Shushan Purim in Jerusalem and walled cities, and learning questions that connect the calendar, the weekly Torah portion, and the biblical story.
This page gives a clear answer for users looking for an Adar II calendar: which dates matter, why Purim in a leap year is observed specifically in Adar II, which Torah portions and special Shabbatot may appear during the month, how to explain the topic to children, and how to turn the month into a family or classroom quiz about joy, responsibility, Jewish identity, and Jerusalem.
In Brief: What Happens in Adar II?
Adar II is the Adar closest to Nisan in a Hebrew leap year, and that is why Purim is celebrated in this month. Adar II has 29 days, and Rosh Chodesh Adar II usually spans two days: 30 Adar I and 1 Adar II. The heart of the month is the movement from preparation to joy: learning the Book of Esther, the Fast of Esther, Purim on 14 Adar II, Shushan Purim on 15 Adar II, and the approach toward Nisan and Passover.
The month includes several key points:
- 1 Adar II: Rosh Chodesh Adar II
- 13 Adar II: the Fast of Esther, when it is not moved because of Shabbat
- 14 Adar II: Purim in most places
- 15 Adar II: Shushan Purim in Jerusalem and walled cities
- Shabbat Zachor: the Shabbat before Purim, with the remembrance of Amalek
- Shabbat Parah and Shabbat HaChodesh: special Shabbatot connected to the preparation for Nisan and Passover, depending on the year
- Weekly Torah portions: usually around the end of Exodus and the beginning of Leviticus, depending on the year
- Bible Quiz connection: the Book of Esther, Amalek, joy, giving, courage, Jerusalem, and the link between Purim and Passover
Adar II Calendar: Key Dates
An Adar II page should present a clear monthly calendar with Hebrew and Gregorian dates for each day, Rosh Chodesh, the Fast of Esther, Purim, Shushan Purim, special Shabbatot, the weekly Torah portion, and a link to a related quiz.
| Hebrew date | Milestone | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adar II | Rosh Chodesh Adar II | The opening of the month in which Purim is celebrated in a leap year |
| 13 Adar II | Fast of Esther | A fast day connected to preparation and memory before Purim, subject to calendar rules when near Shabbat |
| 14 Adar II | Purim | Megillah reading, mishloach manot, gifts to the poor, and the Purim meal in most places |
| 15 Adar II | Shushan Purim | Purim in Jerusalem and walled cities |
| Shabbat Zachor | Before Purim | A special reading about remembering Amalek, connecting the Torah to the Purim story |
| End of the month | Preparation for Nisan | The transition from Purim toward Nisan, Passover, and the Exodus story |
In 5787, for example, 1 Adar II falls on Wednesday, March 10, 2027. Purim in 5787 falls on 14 Adar II and begins at sundown on Monday, March 22, 2027. Shushan Purim falls on 15 Adar II and begins at sundown on Tuesday, March 23, 2027. Annual dates, Shabbat times, and Torah-portion divisions should be loaded on the site from a reliable, up-to-date calendar source.
Why Is Purim Celebrated in Adar II?
In a regular year there is one month of Adar, and Purim is celebrated in that month. In a leap year there are two months of Adar, and Jewish tradition places the full observance of Purim in Adar II, the month closer to Nisan. This preserves the educational and spiritual flow from the redemption of Purim to the redemption of Passover: the rescue story in the Book of Esther remains close to the Exodus story.
This is an especially strong educational idea: the Hebrew calendar is not just a table of dates. It tells a story. In Adar II we move from hiddenness, danger, and courage to open joy, giving, and community. From there, the path opens toward Nisan, freedom, family around the Seder table, and new questions that children know how to ask.
The Meaning of Adar II
Adar II is a month of joy with responsibility. Purim is a very joyful holiday, but its joy is not detached from reality. It grows out of fear transformed into rescue, out of a community acting together, and out of figures like Esther and Mordechai choosing not to stand aside.
That is why an educational page should present Adar II as more than a "costume month." It is a month of Jewish identity:
- Courage: Esther approaches the king and acts for her people
- Responsibility: Mordechai asks Esther to understand her role in that moment
- Giving: mishloach manot and gifts to the poor connect joy with care for others
- Memory: Shabbat Zachor connects Purim to the Torah's account of Amalek
- Jerusalem: Shushan Purim opens a conversation about walled cities and Jerusalem's place in the calendar
- The road to Passover: Adar II prepares the heart from the festival of rescue to the festival of freedom
Purim and Shushan Purim in Adar II
Purim falls on 14 Adar II in a leap year. This is the day on which most communities observe the central mitzvot of the holiday: reading the Book of Esther, sending food gifts, giving to the poor, and holding the Purim meal. Shushan Purim falls on 15 Adar II, and Jerusalem and walled cities observe Purim on that day.
A monthly page should present the two days in a practical way:
- What happens on 13 Adar II: the Fast of Esther, when it is observed on that date
- What happens on 14 Adar II: Purim in most places
- What happens on 15 Adar II: Shushan Purim, especially in Jerusalem
- The difference between Purim and Shushan Purim
- How to check Megillah times, special Shabbatot, and daily times by city on the site
The wording should remain responsible: this page gives an educational and calendar framework, but it does not replace personal halachic guidance on topics such as Megillah times, walled-city practice, postponed fasts, or community customs.
Torah Portions in Adar II and Special Shabbatot
The Torah portions in Adar II vary by year, but the month is usually around the end of Exodus and the beginning of Leviticus. In different years it may include portions such as Vayakhel, Pekudei, Vayikra, Tzav, and Shemini, together with special Shabbatot connected to Purim and Nisan.
Strong Bible Quiz themes for Adar II include:
- Shabbat Zachor: what does the Torah command us to remember, and how does it connect to Purim?
- Vayakhel and Pekudei: how is a community built around giving and a shared mission?
- Vayikra: what can the call to Moses teach about listening, mission, and closeness?
- Tzav: what does steady sacred service teach about routine and celebration?
- Shabbat HaChodesh: how do we begin preparing for Nisan and Passover already at the end of Adar?
The site should display the exact portion for the selected year and distinguish, where needed, between Israel and Diaspora readings.
Family Learning Themes and Practices
Adar II is especially suited to short learning that leads to action:
- The Book of Esther: who are the main characters, and what does each one choose to do?
- Joy: how can joy be deep, generous, and not only external?
- Giving: why does Purim include both food gifts and gifts to the poor?
- Costumes and hiddenness: what is hidden in the story, and what becomes revealed?
- Jerusalem: why is Shushan Purim especially important for Western Wall and Jerusalem-related content?
- Remembering Amalek: how can this historical memory be explained to children with sensitivity and care?
- From Purim to Passover: what connects rescue, freedom, and family?
A simple family mission: before Purim, choose one value from the Megillah - courage, friendship, giving, listening, or responsibility - and find it both in the weekly Torah portion and in one small action at home.
Questions for Children and an Adar II Quiz
The page can include a short quiz that updates by week or date:
- When does the month of Adar II appear?
- Why is Purim celebrated in Adar II during a leap year?
- On which date is Purim observed in most places?
- On which date is Shushan Purim observed?
- What is the difference between Purim Katan and Purim?
- Who are the central figures in the Book of Esther?
- Which Purim mitzvah connects joy with care for the poor?
- What is read on Shabbat Zachor?
- Why is Jerusalem especially connected to Shushan Purim?
- How does Purim prepare us for Nisan and Passover?
Call to action: Start the Adar II quiz and choose a track by age - children, teens, families, or classrooms.
Recommended Page Experience
To serve both quick search intent and deeper learning, the page should function as a monthly tool:
- Monthly view with Hebrew and Gregorian dates for each day
- Markers for Rosh Chodesh Adar II, the Fast of Esther, Purim, and Shushan Purim
- A clear distinction between Adar, Adar I, and Adar II
- Print or PDF button for the Adar II calendar
- "Torah Portion in Adar II" module based on the selected year
- Activity area: questions about the Book of Esther, Shabbat Zachor, giving, and joy
- Quick links to the Hebrew calendar, today's Hebrew date, weekly Torah portion, and Shabbat times
- A short daily or weekly quiz for children and families
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Adar II occur?
Adar II appears only in a Hebrew leap year. In a regular Hebrew year there is only one Adar.
How many days are in Adar II?
Adar II has 29 days. It is followed by the month of Nisan.
When is Purim celebrated in a leap year?
In a leap year, Purim is celebrated in Adar II. Purim falls on 14 Adar II, and Shushan Purim falls on 15 Adar II.
What is the difference between Adar I and Adar II?
Adar I is the added month in a leap year, and it includes Purim Katan and Shushan Purim Katan. Adar II is the month in which Purim is fully observed.
What is Shushan Purim?
Shushan Purim falls on 15 Adar. In a leap year it falls on 15 Adar II, and Jerusalem and walled cities observe Purim on that day.
Which Torah portions are read in Adar II?
The portions vary by year, but Adar II is usually around the end of Exodus and the beginning of Leviticus. The exact reading should be checked in the weekly Torah portion calendar for the selected year.
How can Adar II connect to a Bible Quiz?
You can include questions about the Book of Esther, Purim, Shushan Purim, Shabbat Zachor, Amalek, the weekly Torah portions, Jerusalem, and the transition from Purim to Passover.
Adar II Quiz Idea
Quiz name: "Adar II: From Joy to Responsibility"
Suggested structure: 15 questions in three stages - the Hebrew calendar and the two Adars, the Book of Esther and Purim, and the weekly Torah portions around Adar II. At the end, the user receives a "Purim mission": choose one act of responsible joy or giving - a thoughtful food gift for someone who needs encouragement, a donation, a family learning conversation, or an Esther quiz card - and complete it before Shushan Purim.
Recommended Schema Markup
Add Article, BreadcrumbList, and FAQ Page schema. If a print or PDF feature is implemented, add a short HowTo schema explaining how to choose a leap year, display Adar II, and print the calendar.