Leap Year - Increasing Joy

QUESTION: The Gemara (Taanis 29a-b) states that “when the month of Adar begins, we increase our joy”. Which Adar is this referring to: Adar I, Adar II or both?

ANSWER: Rashi (Taanis 29a) writes that the reason for our increase in joy in Adar is because Adar is a time of miracles for the Jewish people; specifically, the miracles of Purim and Pesach. Teshuva Mai’ahava (301) infers from Rashi that he is limiting the increase in joy to Adar II, in which we celebrate Purim and we begin our preparations for Pesach. (Why does Rashi mention Pesach which is not until Nissan as the reason for our joy in Adar? He explains, because the Gemara (Megila 6b) states that Purim is celebrated in Adar II because of its proximity to Pesach, so we can go from salvation to salvation. Thus, the joy in Adar is related to both Purim and Pesach.) Shevet Halevi (10:105:3) quotes an additional reason from the Sfas Emes. We begin increasing our joy in Adar because on Rosh Chodesh Adar we begin collecting the half Shekel for the Korbanos of the upcoming year. We only increase our joy in Adar II, since the collection for the Korbanos only began in Adar II. Still, Shevet Halevi concludes that there are those who begin to add joy during Adar I as well. This is appropriate because The Shulchan Aruch ends Orach Chaim with a discussion of Purim Katan (which takes place in Adar I), and the last line in Shulchan Aruch is “One who has a good heart should always be festive” (Mishlei 15,15). This can be inferred from the words of the Chasam Sofer as well. The Chasam Sofer stated in a responsa (Teshuvos, Choshen Mishpat 20), “The first day of Adar Rishon, in which happiness is increased…” It would appear that Chasam Sofer held that happiness is intensified in the first Adar as well.

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