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Adar 7 A fast, for the death of Moses (Deuteronomy xxxiv 5, 6). |
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Adar 9 A fast, in memory of the schism between the followers of Shammai and Hillel. Hillel, a Babylonian, was appointed by Herod in B.C. 31 to be a president of the Sanhedrin. The second place of honor, that of deputy to Hillel, was given to Menahem, an Essene, who soon withdrew in favor of Shammai, who was strict even to excess in religious observance. The two founded separate schools which opposed one another on many questions. |
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Adar 13 Thanith Esther, the Fast of Esther (Esther iv 16 and ix 31). |
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Adar 14 Purim, the Feast of Lots. The day is observed in memory of the deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman, the Agagite, who devised a plan to destroy the Jews, and had cast lots (Pur, a Persian word) to consume and destroy them. The lot favorable to his plan fell on the 12th month. The Jews had time to prepare and, with the help of Esther, removed the bad impressions raised against them in the mind of Ahasuerus. On Adar 14, Mordecai led the Jews against Haman and his 10 sons. |
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Adar 15 Shushan Purim, the second Purim. The Feast was kept at Susa on the day after Adar 14. |
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Nisan is the seventh month of the civil year and the first month of the sacred year. |
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Nisan 2 A fast for the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, who "died before the Lord when they offered strange fire before the Lord" in the wilderness of Sinai (Leviticus, x, 17). |
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Nisan 10 A fast for the death of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. On this day, the lamb of the Passover is selected. It is lawful to make this selection, even on a Sabbath, because the day is precisely specified. |
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Nisan 14 The Eve of Passover. The Paschal lamb is slain and eaten in the evening. |
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Nisan 15 Pesach, the first day of the Feast of Passover, or First Day of Unleavened Bread. The feast commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. The dwellings of the Israelites were sprinkled with the blood of the lamb, as a signal to the Angel of Death to pass over those dwellings when the first born of Egypt were smitten with death. |
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Nisan 16 The second day of Passover. The first sheaf of barley harvest, gathered after sunset on the previous evening, is offered before the Lord. From this day also commences the Sephira, or counting the days of Omer, which are the seven weeks that elapse between Passover and the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. |
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Nisan 17 The third day of Unleavened Bread. |
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Nisan 18 The fourth day of Unleavened Bread. |
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