Vol 1.32 - Adar                                  Spanish French Audio  Video

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Summary:
 
Par 11: "Just as when we enter Av we decrease our simcha,  so too when we enter Adar we increase our simcha"

The Talmud supplements the Mishnah’s statement with, “Just as when the month of Av begins we restrain our joy, so too when the month of Adar begins we increase our joy”. 

Translation:

11. “When the month of Adar begins we increase our joy “

The Mishnah states:

 “When the Hebrew month of Av begins we decrease our joy”.

However the Talmud states in this:

“Just as when the month of Av begins we decrease our joy, so too when the month of Adar begins we increase our joy”.

One sees in this two opposite aspects:

1. From the wording “Just as” (כשם) it appears that the main concept is:

"When the month of Av begins we decrease our joy" – for this is stated explicitly in the Mishnah,

which is not so with “when the month of Adar begins we increase our joy” – for this is only a derivation - (Just as”) - that one infers from “when the month of Av begins” .

2.  On the other hand – one sees, in actuality, that there are limitations to the decreasing of joy in “when the month of Av begins”. For there are also aspects of joy in Av. Nevertheless, the joy that we have during the month of Adar - is without and boundaries – so much so that it is to the point of “Ad d’lo Yada - not knowing the difference between blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman” (עד דלא ידעי).

In actuality this is not understood since the entire aspect of “when Adar begins we add in joy” is derived from the Mishnah’s statement “When Av begins we curtail our joy”, as the wording of the Talmud “Just as” (כשם). Therefore, why is the joy of “when the month of Adar begins we increase our joy” more than the decreasing that is “when the month of Av begins”?

12. The simple explanation of this is;

There must always be joy/simcha, even in the month of Av. For the directive to “serve G-d with joy” is always in effect. Therefore when there is another (reason) to add joy, this is without limitation. When we decrease in joy, however -   there is limitation, for even then there must be certain aspects of joy – and specifically because of the command to “serve G-d with joy".

The Pnimiyut of the aspect is:

As was said in the Maamer (דייה כי תשא, תשט״ו), the primary mission (in this world) is to make an abode for G-d below – that G-d has a dwelling place here in this world. And just as when a person dwells in his home - he is in the home with his entire being (וועזן), so too is the explanation of “abode for (G-d) below” (דירה בתחתונים). We must make this world a proper dwelling place so that G-d can rest here with His entire Essence and Being.

The Torah states that “Might and delight are in His place”. The place of G-d’s presence is happiness. Accordingly, in order to effect an “abode for (G-d) below”, one must have happiness - “might and delight” – (only) then can it G-d’s place and abode.

We can therefore understand why we must constantly be happy, even during the times that the Torah states to decrease in happiness, to a certain degree, since the abode for G-d must be made constantly, each moment. For this is man’s entire reason for being, as it states: “I was (not) created (except) to serve my Master”. Therefore there is an obligation to be constantly, every moment, happy.

13. The reason that order of Avodah is to sometimes in the other direction – in the opposite direction of happiness - can be understood according to what is explained in the Maamer, concerning the method (סדר) of making an abode for G-d, where it states that:

This is analogous to the manner that a person makes a dwelling place for a king of flesh and blood. First he must clean the area of all its dirt etc. and only then can he begin to furnish it (באפוצט) with beautiful articles in order that it be befitting for the dwelling of the king.

So too is this also in spiritual Avodah:

One must first remove the dirt etc. This is accomplished through the path of bitterness (קו המרירות)

(Note: by being bitter and remorseful about our current state - and our desire to improve)

This is the function of the month of Av – decreasing in Joy. So much so that we rid ourselves of the aspects of “because of our sins we have been exiled from our Land”. This however, is just a preparation to the dwelling. The dwelling itself is made through joy.

14. The reason the Torah states, on the aspect of increasing joy in the month of Adar, that it is “Just as” (כשם) - which implies that the concept of “when the month of Adar begins we increase our joy“ is inferred from “when the month of Av begins we decrease our joy” is understood according to the explanation of Chassidut, that the ‘greatest light comes specifically from the darkness’ (יתרון האור קומט מתיד החושד דוקא).

Therefore, it is understood that the unlimited happiness which we have during the month of Adar - the "Ad d’lo Yada” – is specifically evoked from the darkness - in other words, through the Avodah of “Iskafia” - subjugating one’s evil inclination through bitterness (די עבודה פון אתכפיא סטרא אחרא דורד מרירות). Then the ensuing happiness is exceedingly great, without limitation.

This is the reason that specifically in the month of Adar, the happiness is without limitation, because it comes about through the darkness, as it states that “many of the ‘peoples of the land/Amei HaAretz’ became Jews”. Peoples of the land’ (עמי הארץ) refers to the three impure Klipot (ג׳ קליפות הטמאות) – that converted and became Jews – denying idol worship and acknowledging the Torah.

And because of this Avodah, there is an increase of light (יתרון האור) – that on Purim there is an obligation of “Ad d’lo Yada“, and also in the entire month of Adar one must have much joy (שמחה בריבוי) as it states: “the month that was reversed for them (from grief to joy)” – the entire month of Adar.

mSichas Shabbat Mevrchim Adar 5716

Links:

https://achoshatmimim.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/adar-sicha-11.jpg

http://crownheights.info/something-jewish/10914/a-sicha-for-the-month-of-adar/