Double Joy

When a person is depressed or sad, his energy is drained; he becomes weak and it is possible that his evil inclination will overpower him. By analogy: If two people are wrestling each other, and one of them is stronger, he will be able to overpower the weaker one. If, however, the stronger person is depressed and lacks vitality, and the weaker person is full of energy, the weaker person will be able to overcome the stronger person.

To refer back to the analogy: When a person is happy and full of energy, he can overcome his evil inclination. But even if he is spiritually strong, when a person is sad and his energy is drained, his yetzer hora can easily overcome him.

As the month of Adar II comes to an end, we look back at the 60 days of joy that these two Adar months encompassed, and we know that good things don’t have to end—in fact, when done correctly, they can positively impact the future.

The joy we experienced during these two months is connected to Moses, whose birthday is on the 7th of Adar, and through whom G-d chose to bring to fruition the Exodus from Egypt. The joy of Adar inevitably continues into the month of Nissan, the month in which we celebrate Passover.

Having Moses as their leader is what enabled the Jews to keep their faith and remain connected to G-d throughout the tumultuous Exodus and their long sojourn in the desert, and it is because of their Exodus that we know we will experience our Exodus, with the coming of Moshiach.

Candle lighting time: 7:03 PM

Shabbat shalom!