Leap Year: Bnei Mitzvah

Q. This year 5782 (2022) is a Jewish leap year (there are two months of Adar). Thirteen and twelve years ago were regular years (only one month of Adar). When do boys born in Adar of 5769 (2009) and girls born in Adar of 5770 (2010) become Bar and Bat Mitzvah?

A. The Rema (OC 55:10) writes that a boy who was born in the month of Adar in a non-leap year, who celebrates his Bar Mitzvah during a leap year (such as this year), will be considered a Bar Mitzvah (adult) during the second Adar. Mishnah Berurah (55:45) writes that the second Adar is primary, and that is when the young man becomes Bar Mitzvah. The Aruch Hashulchan (55:14) explains that although for the purpose of vows we considered the first Adar to be primary, regarding Bar Mitzvah we follow the second Adar, since until the second Adar arrives, it was not viewed as a full 13 years from when the child was born. Therefore, the twelve or thirteen years to adulthood are not complete until Adar Sheini.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.