Rabbi’s Message Purim 5771

The Talmud tells us that “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha” – When we enter the month of Adar, we increase our level of Simcha. The month of Adar has typically been a positive and fortuitous month for the Jewish people. Halacha states that Adar is a good time for celebrations, court cases and other events. Naturally, this stems from the miraculous events that took place during the story of Purim which happened in the month of Adar.

The Talmud (Megillah 13b) tells us another interesting fact about Adar. When Haman drew lots to figure our when he should hatch his evil plan, he was overjoyed to learn that the lot he drew was for the month of Adar. Why? He surmised that this was good since Adar was the month in which Moshe Rabbeinu died. However, the Gemara adds a postscript. Haman was unaware of the fact that Adar is also the month in which Moshe Rabbeinu was born!

My rebbe always taught me that this passage of the Talmud is also describing the current state of American Jewish life. On the one hand, we may look at American Jewry with disdain when we view the staggering numbers of intermarriage. The state (and cost) of Jewish education, the levels of traditional observance and the apathetic approach to the realities of Anti-Semitism around us may leave one with more than a negative taste in the mouth. Indeed, this is a month, a time when Moshe is dying. This is a time when we have no future.

On the other hand, the Gemara warns us never to forget that this is the month when Moshe was born as well. When the outlook is bleak, we have to look at the many positives that emanate from our Jewish community. The amount of Torah being studied and published by all age levels is astonishing. The contribution from such a small percentage of the population to advances is the fields of science, medicine, business and the arts is awe inspiring. The level of philanthropy relative to the collective size of our Jewish community is astonishing. These few things and so much more remind us of what Adar should really be – a time of birth and growth.

The key for our people to thrive – and survive – is to focus our efforts on that aspect of Adar that allows us to be great producers and givers. When we maximize the sense of “Nolad” – “Birth”, and minimize the effect of “Meis” – “Death”, we will always win that struggle.

Wishing you all a Chag Purim Sameach!