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משנכנס אדר

The Talmud in Taanit [29b] notes that just as when the month of Av arrives we should reduce our joy, so too when Adar arrives we should increase our joy, which, according to Rashi is because these were days of miracles for klal Yisrael. The Talmud continues and says that if one has a court case with a non-Jew he should schedule it to take place in Adar when his "mazal" is good.

 

Although there are no halachically mandated changes for Adar, the deeper message in "mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha" is that we are entering a time of redemption and salvation beginning with Adar and Purim and carrying straight through Pesach.

 

The Sfat Emet suggests an alternative to Rashi’s explanation. The joy in Adar is not due to the miracles that took place. Rather it is because of the ability to continue to offer the sacrifices in the Beit Hamikdash - something that was enabled by the collection of the half-shekel which began in this month, and something that we recall this week with the special reading of “parshat shekalim.”

 

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784