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Shiurim & Adult Education
THOUGHTS ON MISHPATIM & ADAR BY RABBI WILKINSON
This Shabbat is not only parashat Mishpatim but also Shabbat Mevarachim, with Rosh Chodesh Adar on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Gemara tells us “Mi-she’nichnas Adar, marbin b’simchah,” , when the month of Adar arrives, we increase our happiness. This is a very difficult statement to understand. What is the Gemara trying to teach us? Does it mean we automatically become happy just because the month of Adar has begun? Is it a commandment? Is the Gemara saying that one should do their best during the month of Adar to increase their personal level of simchah by doing those things which would cause him to be happy?
Ostensibly it is both. On one hand, when we think of all the good things which are coming our way during the next two months it is certainly a cause on its own to be full of simchah. There are no two months in the Jewish calendar which are as full of nissim (miracles) as are the months of Adar and Nissan. On the other hand, it is also a commandment to be happy through the fulfilment of the mitzvot which one is obligated to do during the next two months. By virtue of fulfilling the mitzvot which are incumbent upon us, one becomes full of simchah.
Possibly the statement is descriptive; namely, as the month of Adar arrives and one begins to feel the spring fever of Purim and Pesach, one is naturally filled with simchah. The statement is also prescriptive, meaning that all of us are required to fulfil all of the mitzvot associated with Purim and Pesach and through their fulfilment we will be filled with simchah.
We see from here that our moods are in our hands to change. There are some people in this world who are always looking at themselves as if they are victims and the entire world is against them. They are never happy and never satisfied. They are always bitter and believe they are always getting the short end of the stick. This is not a Torah perspective on life. Ivdu es Hashem b’simchah. We are required to serve Hashem with happiness. It may be hard and sometimes we find it more difficult than others, however, the way we look at life is in our own hands to decide.
There are multi-millionaires who are always complaining; on the other hand, there are people who live from hand to mouth and are always a joy to be with.
Now is the time to count our blessings and to realize just how blessed we really are. Our relatives love us, our friends love us, and most of all Hashem loves us. The month of Adar is coming; there are so many reasons to rejoice. Be happy…it’s (about to be) Adar.
Shabbat shalom
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