Simcha Chodesh Adar ( The month of Adar )

Difficulty: 3

Based on Lekutei Sichos Chelek Alef:

The Mishna(Taanis c. 26 m. 2) States:

"When we enter month of Adar(the month of Purim) we increase in Simcha(joy)".

The Talmud(in explaining this statement) says: "In the same way we decrease in Simcha in the month of Av, so too we increase in Simcha in the month of Adar". This statement is not entirely understood, seemingly the increase in Simcha in the month on Adar is very different from the decrease that occurs in Av. To explain: The Hebrew word used to describe the decrease in Simcha that occurs in Av is ממעטין(m'Me'atin), which is m'Lashon(related in its etymology) with the Hebrew word מעט(Me'at) meaning a small measure. This implies that that decrease in Av is limited in the extent of its decrease, this is in stark contrast to the increase of Simcha that occurs in Adar. To explain: Simcha is Paretz Geder(breaking through limitation), furthermore the level of Simcha which is demanded from us on Purim(which is in Adar), is described at Ad d'Lo Yodey(to the extent that you do not know, i.e., that one should be consumed with happiness to the extent that ones human limitations of intellect no longer exist)!

So we now understand that The Talmud is making a comparison between two opposite ideas; something which is very limited, i.e., the decrease in Simcha that occurs in Av, with the exact opposite, the limitless increase in Simcha that occurs in Adar! How, and why does the Gemara make this comparison(and equalization)?

To question further, is there not a commandment which exists to serve G-d with Simcha? How then can we be asked to decrease in Simcha at all?

The explanation is as thus: The Tachlis Ha'Kavana(Ultimate Intention) of mans Devine Service in this world is to create a Dirah B'Tachtonim(a Home in this physical world, i.e. just like a mans true self is revealed when behind the doors of his house, so too our Devine Service is intended to reveal G-dliness in this physical world which can be peceived as entirely devoid of it, G-d forbid). We know that our holy books say(see m. Chagiga p. 5, Avodas HaKodesh c. 3, and many other places explained at length), that "wherever Simcha is to be found so too is G-d".

From this we understand that the ultimate way to reveal G-dliness in this world, is through living with a constant Simcha, an overwhelming Joy. So if the whole point of our Devine Service is to make a dwelling place for G-d and the way to do that is with Simcha, how can we possibly be asked, in regards to that very Devine Service, to decrease in Simcha!?

This can be understood according to the following parable: One who wishes to prepare a messy home for a special guest or important person, before furnishing it with fine furnishings, must first clean out the house to remove the dirt and grime.

The Analogue for this in our spiritual service is removing the Shmutz that exists in onces soul(which is compared to a candle and wick) which comes about through the bitterness of Av(cleaning the candle), before refining it with the Simcha of Adar(lighting the fire).

This is why the Talmud likened the two ideas; The limited decrease of Simcha in the month of Av with the limitless increase of Simcha in the month of Adar. For really these two ideas are one in the same, a way to make a dwelling place for G-d in this Physical World.

This is true to the extent that only though the decrease of the Simcha in Av can the increase of Simcha in Adar truly be limitless, for in this way it achieves the powerful level Described by King Shlomo, "Light which comes out of Darkness". Through this process of these two ideas, one and the same, can we achieve the ultimate level of revelation in this world.

The whole Month of Adar should be filled with this limitless Simcha to the extent that it reveals G-dliness in the world in an open and revealed way and brings about an eternity of Simcha with T'Chiyas HaMesim al yedey Moshiach Tzidkenu, Bimhera v'Yomenu, Mamash!