Purim Katan

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Israel · Judaism

In a Hebrew leap year, which has two months of Adar, Purim is kept in Adar II, and 14 Adar I, a month earlier, becomes Purim Katan, "Little Purim". The Mishnah already speaks of the difference between the two. It has no set observances but is a minor day of joy: fasting is not allowed, and the penitential Tachanun prayer and some other passages are left out of the service.