The Happiness of Adar

This week, we begin a new month in the Jewish calendar – Adar.  Adar is the month of the celebration of Purim, so it is considered the happiest of months.  There is a rabbinic idiom: “As Adar comes upon us, joy is increased.”  Or, more simply put, "Be happy, it's Adar."

But what happens if Adar comes and we are not happy?  What if world events have gotten us down?  What if our personal or professional lives are not going according to plan?  What if we are facing illness or helping a loved one who is struggling?  Can we just say: It is Adar – Let’s be happy?  I don’t know about you, but I can’t.

There is an old Rabbinic pun that Purim and Yom Kippur are actually mirrored images of each other.  In Hebrew, “K” is a prefix meaning “like.”  Yom Kippur – a Day of Repentence – can be read as a “day like Pur(im).” The rabbis interpret this pun to give us a broader message – at our moments of greatest joy, we can find space for introspection and at our moments of introspection, we can find joy.

One rabbinic commentary teaches, “It is a great mitzvah to be happy always, and to strengthen oneself to push away the sadness and the black bitterness with all of one’s might.” I don’t necessarily agree with this commentary, at least in its entirety.  Although happiness, of course, is an important goal, sometimes, it is not obtainable.  Goals, even the loftiest ones, should be obtainable. The editor in me crosses out the word “always.” If I were to write this commentary, I would have said, “It is a great mitzvah to be happy and to strengthen oneself to push away the sadness and black bitterness. . .” 

As we enter the month of Adar, let us use it as a reminder: Seek happiness. It may not be obtainable at all times, but happiness exists. And each person is entitled to it. You are entitled to it. We have happier times in the Jewish calendar and sadder times in the Jewish calendar.  Life is cyclical.  So don’t get so caught in “sadness and black bitterness” to forget that happiness is a possibility and someday will be the reality.  Perhaps, for you, that day is today.
 
This Adar, find at least moments of joy.  Use the month to remind yourself – happiness exists and we should strive to make it our own.