The mitzva on Purim, and actually all of Adar, is Marbim B’simcha. That part we are aware of. What is less well-known is how we derive this instruction. The Gemara in Taanis (29a) says “Just as we reduce our simcha in Chodesh Av, so too we increase our simcha in Chodesh Adar.” Amazing! What would the sorry of Av have to do with the simcha of Adar? Aren’t these two lessons independent of each other?
Among the various answers given, two answers seem to blend together for one message. The gemara is telling us that in order to appreciate a kedusha of Purim, we need to understand the depths of sorrow that comes with an Av. If we truly understood what life without a Bais Hamikdash is about, we can begin to understand what a simcha of Purim is about. Both instances - the events of Av and Adar - transcend so much more than meets the eye, for good and unfortunately, the other way. Adar allows us to dream the impossible - “Venahapoch Hu” - as a true possibility that can happen. Its absence represents Av, the crushing reality of our dreams gone awry.
The other answer is that we all know how to be “marbeh”, to consume, to increase, and it is actually “delightful”, simcha. But when it is “mematin” is it just as “delightful"? Isn’t it so hard to internalize a lesson of “mematin”? Adar and Av teaches us the two sides of the spectrum are one - whether we are marbeh or mematin, it is “simcha” that must accompany that action.
As we go through life, instances and periods of increasing and decreasing are constant, personally and globally. We must not ever lose sight of our hopes dreams for even the impossible to occur. Yet, no matter where we are presently, we must always remember, “b’simcha”. Only then can we expect that day to come. Then we will appreciate the good and bad as only good, as Hashem is kulo tov. To the extent we develop this mindset, we will appreciate the true good that follows every downturn.
My sincerest wishes, for you, your families, and all of Klal Yisroel, that we should only know happiness, upswings in our Ruchniyus and Gashmiyus, serving Hashem with true and unbridled joy, and to live to the day of “Az Yimalei Schok Pinu.”
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