Purim Sheini

Is it true that some people celebrate Purim in Shevat? That seems unusual to me. Could you explain why this happens?

Thank you for your question.

I would like to first learn with you a piece of Chayey Adam;

חיי אדם חלק ב-ג (הלכות שבת ומועדים) כלל קנה

מי שאירע לו נס, וכל שכן בני עיר, יכולין לתקן בהסכמה עליהם ועל הבאים אחריהם לעשות אותו יום לפורים ונראה לי דאותה סעודה שעושין בשביל הנס, היא סעודת מצוה

Chayei Adam, Part 2-3 (Laws of Shabbat and Festivals), Rule 155:

Anyone to whom a miracle has occurred, and all the more so the residents of the city, can agree among themselves and for future generations to establish that day as a Purim. It seems to me that the feast they hold because of the miracle is a Seudat mitzvah.

We see that when an individual or a community experiences a miracle, they can establish a day of celebration and gratitude to Hashem for their salvation. This is the essence of the celebration of Purim, where we recognize, even in the Diaspora, the divine providence of Hashem and how He watches over us, protecting us from enemies who seek our destruction or from any mishaps that may occur.

Throughout the generations, people and communities that have experienced miracles have established their own unique Purims to commemorate these events. I would like to share with you two such traditional Purims.

The Chayei Adam's Purim - Purim Parvur (gun powder)- 16th day of Kislev

The Chayei Adam himself established a Purim, and the story is as follows: Rabbi Avraham Danziger, known as the Chayei Adam, was a respected posek and served as a Dayan in Vilna around 1800. His house was situated next to an army base, which was also a place where they stored magnesium gunpowder. If this powder were to come into contact with water, it could cause an extremely large explosion. That is exactly what happened on the calm and quiet night of the 16th of Kislev, 1803. As Rabbi Danziger was studying with his sons in one room, his wife and daughters were in another… For the rest of the story, let's turn to how Rabbi Danziger describes it in the Chayei Adam.

…..And so we do (a Purim) for the miracle that happened to us in the year 5564 (1803) on the 16th of Kislev, when there was a fire in the courtyard where I live, due to an explosion from gunpowder. Several houses in the courtyard fell, including one of mine. In the room where all my household were, two walls and a beam fell. The wall fell on my daughters Vitke and Rite…. They were a step away from death. Also, my wife was injured in her face, her upper lip was split into several pieces, and all her lower teeth were broken in her mouth. In the room where I sat with my son, the windows and door broke, and the walls were damaged. Also, two holes were pierced in my son's back. In all my household, everyone, including me, there was not one who did not shed some blood . But the blessed Hashem in His mercy and kindness considered our blood as a sacrifice for atonement, and saved us and we all remained alive. Even though I had great damage of several hundred rubles, Hashem in His kindness exchanged money for blood. ………And in order to tell over the wonders of Hashem, as it is written [Psalms 111:4] 'Hashem made His wonderful works to be recalled,' I have accepted upon myself and my descendants without a vow on the 16th of Kislev, which is anyway in our city a fast day for the Chevrah Kadishah, to make it at least half for Hashem, and whoever can should fast. And the night after, they should gather immediately after Maariv and light candles as on a holiday and say the entire Shir Hayichud melodiously, and Shir Hakavod, and after that Psalms, (Psalms 111, 116, 117, 23, 34, 66, 100, 103, 121, 130, 134, 138, 139, 143, 148, 150). And after that to make a feast for Torah scholars for those who can, and to give charity.

We see how a tzaddik perceives a miracle and the kindness of Hashem. Instead of lamenting his situation—how he and his family were injured and the financial losses incurred—he realized it was Hashem's kindness that enabled them to survive. He acknowledged that Hashem exchanged money for blood, and the blood that was spilled is considered an offering and atonement for his sins. This perspective is truly remarkable.

That is the story of Purim ‘Polvure’, which is celebrated on the 16th day of Kislev by the descendants of the Chayei Adam.

Purim saragusah - 17th day of Shevat

lfonso V of Aragon, king of Sicily, ruled around the year 1420 when there was a large Jewish community residing there. The community had a tradition that the king would periodically visit the Jewish ghetto. During these royal visits, rabbis, dayanim, and community leaders would gather to welcome the king. They would bring out the Sifrei Torah from the synagogues and receive the king with great honor. They would then bless the king in the presence of the Sifrei Torah.

There was a Jew who converted to Christianity his name was Shammi and he told the king a secret that only the Jews knew, and that is, that the Jews would take out the holy scroll and leave them in the Aron Hakodesh and stand to bless the king with the cases of the Sifrey Torah that were in fact empty.

When the king heard about it he became enraged at this slight to his honor and he commanded his army to be present the next day when he was planning to visit the Jewish ghetto he will then command them to open the Torah cases if they were to be found empty he will immediately command the soldiers to kill all the entire Jewish community men women and children.

That night the community's Shamash called Efraim had a prophetic dream instructing him to return the Sefer Torah to its case and not tell anyone of his actions. He immediately woke up and went to the shul and returned the scrolls to the cases without informing anyone. The next day when the king asked to see the Torah scrolls, it was indeed in its case, which not only prevented a potential disaster but also led to the king's admiration and respect for the Jewish community. This day was henceforth celebrated annually as Purim Saragossa, with festivities similar to those of Purim, including the reading of a special Megillah that recounts this story.

This Purim is celebrated in Sicily and anyone who is an offspring from this community living around the world what is special is that they still have a megillah that they read that recounts this story with all the details and is read every year on the 17th day of Shevat.

So, the Purim you may have seen may be the one that was celebrated by the people who are descendants of that community.

Wishing you a happy Purim.

Chayei Adam, Part 2-3 (Laws of Shabbat and Festivals), Rule 155: