By Rachel Raz, Jewish Life Specialist

Rosh Chodesh Adar II

מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה 
Mishenichnas Adar, marbin b’simchah 
When [the Jewish month of] Adar enters, we increase in joy. 
(Taanit, 29:18)

Why increase in joy during the month of Adar and how do we go about it when life isn’t that great? Rashi explains that the month of Adar is a time of miracles for the people of Israel. During Purim, we see that bad things can flip and turn to good things, and therefore we increase in joy in celebration of the miracles and the possibilities that gloomy faith can turn over and change; as it is written in the book of Esther:

“The same days on which the Jews enjoyed relief from their foes and the same month which had been transformed for them from one of grief and mourning to one of festive joy. They were to observe them as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.” (Esther 9:22) 

This year, since October 7th, we, the Jewish people have been in pain, we have been mourning our dead and praying and fighting for the release of the hostages. Thousands of people in Israel are refugees in their own country, and everyone has been hoping for peaceful days. How can one increase in Joy this year? Focus on doing good deeds and increasing light in the world, spending time with family and loved ones, inviting people for a meal, studying something that interests you, helping a neighbor or a stranger, sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.

May this new month of Adar bring new miracles upon us,
the People of Israel. 
May this month transform from grief and mourning to one of
festivity and joy. 

*One of the expressions identified with the month of Adar appears in Megillat Esther, the Book of Esther: ”Venahafoch hu”; that is, everything flips. Just as in the Megillah everything is suddenly turned upside down as impending doom is displaced by salvation, similar surprises can happen in the world today and even in our own lives when, at the last minute, evil gives way to good and darkness is driven out by light.