Every month in the Jewish or secular calendar has a feeling to it. This past weekend we entered the joyful Hebrew month of Adar, the month in which we celebrate Purim!
מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה MisheNichnas Adar marbin b’simchah, “‘As Adar enters, joy is increased,’ says Rav Yehudah.”*
With the month of Adar upon us, now we are called to increase our joy as we build up to Purim.
The call to celebrate Purim does not come from Tanach (though the story resides in the Book of Esther). Rather, the Sages of the Talmud eventually recorded an entire scroll to explain how the holiday should be observed. But they omitted one very important instruction, how we are to increase our joy in the days leading up to and following Purim! Why would the Rabbis leave such a request without the how-to or to-do list?
I believe it’s because we each find joy in life in different ways. It’s pretty hard to tell someone, “Hey, do this, this, and that…find joy!” Instead, it’s pretty personal, we know what brings us joy! So the rabbis leave it to us to fill in the blank.
There’s still time! Do something intentional every day that makes you happy, that brings you joy! Purim is 1 week away!
This Sunday, I’ll find my happiness at the Purim CARnival Drive-By from 10:00am–12:00pm
Then next Thursday at 7:00pm I’ll find more joy as I watch our amazing community on the TE’s Got Talent Facebook Live event!
Friday Night at 7:00pm I’ll be rockin’ and rollin’ for the DFRS/Davis Purim Shabbat!
Finally, on Saturday morning, I’ll get to sing and dance with our itty bitty ones for a Purim Tot Shabbat.
I hope you’ll join me and perhaps you too will find just the joy that you need to have a fulfilling Adar!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rachael
*Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 29b
