The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

M’SheNichnas Adar Marbin B’Simcha-

"When the Month of Adar arrives, we are abundantly happy."

The Talmud (T.B. Taanis 29b) informs us that when the month of Adar arrives, we should increase and be abundantly happy.

There are many interpretations of the meaning of the Talmudic dictum.

Rashi informs us that we should be happy as when Adar arrives, the calendaric miraculous times of Purim and Pesach are beginning and are the cause of our happiness.

Rav Zadok ha-Kohen Rabinowitz of Lublin (1823-1900) writes in his classic Sefer, Resisei Leilah (53), that the abundance and increase in Simcha in Adar is due to the quick transition of events.

Meaning when the month of Adar was approaching during the time of Haman, he (and the entire world, including the Jews) were convinced that the destruction of the Jews was imminent.

See Esther (4:3)" And in every province, wherever the king's orders and his edict reached, there was great mourning for the Jews, and fasting and weeping and lamenting; sackcloth and ashes were put on."

A feeling of hopelessness and helplessness enveloped the Jewish people as the month of Adar was coming closer.

However, in His mercy, Hashem heard the cries and accepted the Teshuva of the Jewish people. Indeed, sadness was transformed into a celebration.

Explains Rav Zadok; this is why we must be happy when Adar arrives every year in every generation.

For Adar is a month when we saw (and still can see) that no matter how bleak and dark a situation may appear, salvation is around the corner, and sadness can be transformed into Simcha.

We increase our Simcha at the start of every Adar to show our conviction that mourning can be turned into a celebration, just as in the times of Purim.

This year, our mourning over the losses of the past weeks can also morph into Simcha.

From the past miraculous events of Adar in the times of Mordechai and Esther, we are infused with the belief and conviction that that which seems impossible can indeed become a reality.

So too, as this Adar begins, despite the difficulties Klal Yisroel has had to deal with over the past weeks, we are steadfast in our belief that the month can be transformed into one of celebration and Simcha.

May we be privileged to see it today.