Leap Year-In which Adar is one to celebrate a birthday and commemorate a Yartzite

Leap Year-In which Adar is one to celebrate a birthday and commemorate a Yartzite?

A. Birthdays and Bar Mitzva’s:[1]

If one was born in Adar of a leap year:[2] If one was born during Adar of a leap year and the current year is also a leap year, then he celebrates his birthday and Bar-Mitzvah on the day of the Adar that he was born in. Thus, if Reuvein was born on the 29th of Adar I and Shimon on the 1st of Adar II then in the current leap year Reuvein celebrates his birthday and Bar-Mitzvah on the 29th of Adar I and Shimon on the 1st of Adar II.

If one was born in Adar of a non-leap year and now it is a leap year:[3] If one was born during Adar of a regular year and the current year is a leap year then he celebrates his birthday and Bar-Mitzvah on the date of his birth in Adar II. Thus, if Reuvein was born on the 12th of Adar of a non-leap year, then in a leap year Reuvein celebrates his birthday and Bar-Mitzvah on the 12th of Adar II.

B. Yartzites:

If the person passed away in Adar of a leap year:[7] If a person passed away during Adar of a leap year and the current year is also a leap year, then the commemoration of his Yartzite is on the day of the Adar that he passed away in. Thus, if Reuvein passed away on the 29th of Adar I and Shimon passed away on the 1st of Adar II then in the current leap year Reuven’s Yartzite is commemorated on the 29th of Adar I and Shimon’s Yartzite is commemorated on the 1st of Adar II.

If the person passed away in Adar of a non-leap year and now it is a leap year:[8] If a person passed away in Adar of a non-leap year and now it is a leap year then some Poskim[9] rule that one is to commemorate the Yahrzeit in the second Adar [and so is the Sephardi custom[10]]. Other Poskim[11], however, rule one is to commemorate the Yahrzeit in the first Adar and so is the [Ashkenazi[12]] custom. Due to the above debate, some are stringent to commemorate the Yahrzeit in both the first and second Adar.[13]

The first Yartzite:[14] The above debate is only regarding the date of the Yahrzeit from the second year and onwards. However, if the first Yahrzeit falls in a leap year, then according to all [Sepharadim and Ashkenazim] one is to commemorate the Yahrzeit on the first Adar, when the 12 months have concluded, and not in Adar Sheiyni.

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[1] See Igros Kodesh 24:295; Yerushalmi Megillah 1:5 that discusses which month is considered the Chodesh Haiibur.

[2] Shvus Yaakov 1:9; Peri Chadash; Eliyahu Raba; Levush 685; Yeshuos Yaakov 55:6; Mahri Mintz; Machatziz Hashekel and Beir Heiytiv 55:11 in name of Shvus Yaakov ibid which concludes that so is the ruling of all Baalei Horah; Chasam Sofer 14 [however see Chasam Sofer 163]; Derech Hachaim Kaddish 3; Chayeh Adam 66:1; Kitzur SHU”A 15:2; Chasan Sofer 99; Aruch Hashulchan 55:14; M”B 55:43

Other Opinions: Some Poskim rule that by a leap year one always celebrates on Adar II even if he was born in Adar I. [Magen Avraham 55:10; Olas Tamid 55:5; Shulchan Shlomo 55:5]

[3] Rama 55:10; See Igros Kodesh 24:295; Shulchan Menachem 3:307 for a discussion on why the Yerushalmi Megillah 1:5 does not mention whether a Bar Mitzvah is in Adar Rishon or Sheiyni.

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is to celebrate his birthday and Bar Mitzvah in Adar Rishon. [Mahrash Levi 16] Some Poskim rule that one is to be stringent like this opinion, for the Bar Mitzvah boy to begin wearing Tefillin in Adar Rishon. [Beis Shlomo Even Haezer 56] Practically, this is not the custom, and rather all customs are followed only from the second of Adar. [Shulchan Melachim ibid] Regarding Tefillin however, the Chabad custom is to begin wearing them two months before the Bar Mitzvah.

[4] Shulchan Menachem 3 p. 353

[5] See Igros Kodesh Rebbe Rayatz volume 15

[6] Chasam Sofer 162; See Machaneh Chaim 3:17; Rebbe in Likkutei Sichos 19:132; Nitei Gavriel Aveilus 77:17; Nitei Gavriel 1:8

[7] Rama Y.D. 402:12 regarding Adar Beis; Shach 402:12 regarding both Adar Alef and Beis; Rashal; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 221:3; Mateh Ephraim 3:6; Nitei Gavriel 77:12

[8] Michaber and Rama 568:7; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 568:8; Nitei Gavriel 77:13

[9] Michaber ibid; Machazik Bracha 568:8; Kneses Hagedola 568; Chasam Sofer 163; Ikarei Hadaat 29:4; Milameid Lehoil 116; Levushei Mordechai Tinyana 43; Kaf Hachaim 568:76

[10] Kaf Hachaim 568:76

[11] Rama O.C. ibid; Rama Y.D. 402:12 “Even though some opinions argue, so is the main opinion”; Taz 568:3; Terumas Hadeshen 294; Kneses Hagedola 568 in name of Mahrash Halevi; Mahariy Mintz; Yeshuos Yaakov 5684; Mateh Efraim 3:6; Kitzur SHU”A 221:3 regarding fast; Aruch Hashulchan 568:13-14; Gesher Hachaim 32:10; Maharam Brisk 128

[12] Rama ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid

[13] Rama O.C. ibid [omitted in Rama Y.D.]; Shach 402:11; Rashal; Bach; M”A 568:20 and Gr”a 568 rule that from the letter of the law one is to commemorate the Yahrzeit on both days; Ashel Avraham Butchach 568 writes to give charity to redeem fast on both dates; Kitzur SHU”A 221:3 regarding Kaddish; M”B 568:42 in name of M”A ibid [however, see there that regarding Kaddish and Davening one day suffices]; Mishmeres Shalom Yud 21 that so is custom; Some write that the widespread custom amongst Anash to commemorate the Yahrzeit in both months. [Hiskashrus] Conclusion of Nitei Gavriel 77:13 and 16 and that so is custom

[14] Beis Yosef Y.D. 403 in name of Tashbeitz; Rav Poalim 4:41; Chasam Sofer O.C. 14; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid