This weekend begins the Jewish month of Adar, a time of unparalleled joy in the Jewish year. In a few weeks, we will celebrate Purim, and not long afterward, we will mark our exodus from Egypt with the holiday of Pesach. Amid war, sadness, and despair, commemorating joyful holidays may seem at odds with the ethos of the last four months. However, this is far from the first time we have celebrated simchas while also holding sorrow. Disasters mar Jewish history, but throughout our generations, we have combined joy and “oy.” Through the writings of our sages, we have a path to reconcile these two opposite emotions.
In the 16th century, Rabbi Joseph Karo of Tzfat compiled the most widely accepted code of Jewish law called the Shulchan Aruch (in English, the Set Table). Karo’s code of law touched upon every area of life, including personal and communal practices when mourning coincides with holidays. The Shulchan Aruch states that all the elements of mourning continue throughout Chanukah and Purim—meaning joy does not supersede sorrow. And yet, we as a community are still obligated to celebrate our holidays, albeit in a more subdued fashion.
For four months, Jews have been in a state of personal and communal distress. We have celebrated Chanukah and Tu b’Shvat while scores of our brothers and sisters have been held captive by Hamas; we brought light into the darkness, and we celebrated new growth. Now that Purim is upon us, we remember that our enemies who sought the destruction of the Jews of Shushan still seek our destruction today. Our enemies have failed for thousands of years, and they will fail this time as well. Together, we will overcome this, too.
As we enter Adar, we do so with the promise found in the story of Esther:
Just as the Jews [of Shushan] light and gladness, happiness, and honor; so may we as well.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Max
