JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simchah!

Our ability to feel joyous largely depends on our approach and attitude toward things. A few weeks ago, the skin on our toddler’s face had dry patches. I grabbed Vaseline, called her over, and was preparing to hold her hands down so I could apply the Vaseline when she stuck out her face for me to apply it!

It took us a few seconds to realize that she thought it was makeup. She enjoyed every dab applied—actually, couldn’t get enough of it!

Each one of us has areas in our lives that pull us down: health, parnassah, family issues. Real things that hide the truth that Hashem runs the world—everything in it. And that He is the essence of both goodness and kindness.

Adar is a time to take a plunge of joy into the world happiness. For this we need to realize that, indeed, Hashem runs the world—everything in it. And that He is the essence of both goodness and kindness.

In some areas, we don’t see it. In others, we don’t feel it. Yet it remains reality. Everything perceived by us today as the opposite of good will one day be shown as kindness. This understanding takes a leap of faith, but since when are we Jews afraid of a leap of faith?

When we rise up from our troubles and take part in the joy of Adar, of being Jewish, of living in a generation seeing miracles unfold too fast to internalize them, then Hashem will surely turn the hidden good into revealed good.

The ultimate of course is when the final redemption will take place and the world will know only goodness and light.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos and a most joyous Chodesh Adar!

Shalom