Adar: A Full Month of Joy?

Our sages declare when the Month of Adar enters, we increase in our joy. This is patterned after their comment on the Month of Av, “when Av enters, we decrease in joy.” For both months, the emotional change should be evident throughout all their days.

However, there seems to be a significant inconsistency between the two months, which throws into question the entire premise that just like Av…so too Adar.

Regarding Av, the days of limiting joy actually begin the previous month on the 17th day of Tamuz. As the days pass the sadness intensifies until Tisha B’Av. The sadness continues as we suffer in galut without a Mikdash and Hashem’s presence in our midst.

But Adar is different, its joy solely flows from the days of Purim. We are hard pressed to find reason to increase our joy from Rosh Chodesh, and surely to continue it once Purim passes. In fact, there is an old Yiddish saying which is so telling regarding the nature of Adar:

היינט איז פורים מארגן איז אויס,  גיב מיר א טרינק און ווארפט מיר ארוס

In short, today is Purim and tomorrow it’s over. In our synagogue liturgy, we re-include all prayers that have underpinnings of sadness.

If we look at our practice on leap years when we add a second Adar, we can better understand the source of Adar’s extended joy. Our sages tell us that the mitzvah for reading the Megillah is the second Adar. It’s because the Adar which is closer to Nisan is preferred.

We see a strong bond between Adar-Purim and Nisan-Pesach, days of Jewish redemption. The salvation of one inspires the salvation of the other. Hence, the deeper spiritual joy that flows from the victory of Adar continues right through to Pesach.

 Further, we see great evidence of Adar being a month of preparation for Pesach. Our sages tell us to begin learning the laws of Pesach immediately at the conclusion of Purim, and they established two special Shabbats after Purim during Adar, parashat Para and parashat HaChodesh.

 BH, in Jewish schools the curriculum calls for a comprehensive preparation for Pesach beginning immediately after Purim. Most schools do a great job preparing the children.

However, the Pesach seder is a home-based event and parents should begin preparing themselves for this high profile chinuch experience. Potentially, the seder is meant to have the greatest impact on the children, because the Torah itself sets out the chinuch guidelines. Therefore, so much depends on parents being prepared to take on their leadership role.

We have upcoming classes devoted to exactly this subject. If you’re reading this, feel free to reach out to learn more, or to gain access to the recordings!