Sanhedrin 12: Rome's Impact on the Calendar
How far in advance of Adar -- when the month is added to the year -- could they intercalate the year? Rosh Hashanah time? Before it? Afterwards? Why would they to do it so early in the year? Only in a time of religious persecution, which the Gemara provides an example of, under the oppressive thumb of Rome. Plus, going back to the story of King Solomon's Temple and a monthly rotation that seems to have included the possibility of a 13th month. Also, if the majority of the people would be impure for the Korban Pesach, would that be reason enough to add a month? The Gemara presents several…
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