- Jan 18, 2012
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I was reading 1 Maccabees this week and noticed a feast proclaimed for 13 Adar.
Upon further research, it seems that the observance of Nicanor Day was lost after only a few generations. I also read that there is some interest in reviving the feast in the modern era. In practice, it seems that it is chiefly observed in years when Purim begins on a Sunday. When Purim begins on a Sunday the fast of Esther is transferred to the preceding Thursday. This leaves an open day for the feast, although I'm not quite clear on whether it would then be observed on Friday (12 Adar) or the prescribed day of 13 Adar, which would be the sabbath.
1 Maccabees 7:48 The people rejoiced greatly and celebrated that day as a day of great gladness. 49 They decreed that this day should be celebrated each year on the thirteenth day of Adar. 50 So the land of Judah had rest for a few days.
2 Maccabees 15:35 Judas hung Nicanor’s head from the citadel, a clear and conspicuous sign to everyone of the help of the Lord. 36 And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month—which is called Adar in the Aramaic language—the day before Mordecai’s day.
Out of curiosity, I looked up what this would be called in modern parlance and found conflicting accounts: Nicanor Day and the Fast of Esther. The Fast of Esther is preparatory for Purim.Esther 9:19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the open towns, hold the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting, a holiday on which they send gifts of food to one another.
Upon further research, it seems that the observance of Nicanor Day was lost after only a few generations. I also read that there is some interest in reviving the feast in the modern era. In practice, it seems that it is chiefly observed in years when Purim begins on a Sunday. When Purim begins on a Sunday the fast of Esther is transferred to the preceding Thursday. This leaves an open day for the feast, although I'm not quite clear on whether it would then be observed on Friday (12 Adar) or the prescribed day of 13 Adar, which would be the sabbath.
