By Margie Pensak. As we celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar Rishon, we are reminded that this year is a leap year with a second Adar to follow. It is, actually, a leap year (i.e., there are 29 days in February) in the civil calendar, as well.

The phenomenon of Hebrew and civil leap years occurring simultaneously has happened every 8 years since 1976 and will continue until 2024, according to STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Dovid Heber, who says that it won’t happen again after that until 2052.