The Edythe Benjamin חיה בת שלמה, beloved mother of Barbara Hanus, Hodesh Adar Torah essay, sent to Arutz Sheva by Matan Women's Institute for Torah Learning.
אַדְּרַבָּה, תֵּן בְּלִבֵּנוּ שֶׁנִּרְאֶה כָּל אֶחָד מַעֲלַת חֲבֵרֵינוּ וְלא חֶסְרונָם, וְשֶׁנְּדַבֵּר כָּל אֶחָד אֶת חֲבֵרו בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַיָּשָׁר וְהָרָצוּי לְפָנֶיךָ, וְאַל יַעֲלֶה שׁוּם שנְאָה מֵאֶחָד עַל חֲבֵרו חָלִילָה וּתְחַזֵּק הִתְקַשְּׁרוּתֵנוּ בְּאַהֲבָה אֵלֶיךָ, כַּאֲשֶׁר גָּלוּי וְיָדוּעַ לְפָנֶיךָ. שֶׁיְּהֵא הַכּל נַחַת רוּחַ אֵלֶיך
Indeed, instill in our hearts the ability to see the positive attributes of our friends and not their shortcomings; let every person speak to his friends in a manner that is honorable and desired by You. Let us not, God forbid, bear hatred toward one another. Strengthen us in our love towards You, as is apparent and known before you. Let everything be pleasing before You.
The beautiful Adraba prayer, recited before morning tefillot and popularized today in modern song, was written by Reb Elimelech Weisblum of Lizhensk who was born in 1717 and died on 21 Adar 1787. Reb Elimelech is considered to be one of the great Rebbes of the Hassidic movement, a leader who propagated Hassidism in Poland. He studied with the Maggid of Mezeritch, brought under his tutelage by his brother Rebbe Reb Meshulam Zushya of Aniopoli, a renowned Hassidic Rebbe in his own right. Reb Elimelech, considered by many to have been the Maggid’s successor, taught and nurtured scores of students who followed in his footsteps; many went on to become renowned Hassidic Rebbes in their own right.
Reb Elimelech’s most famous work is the Sefer Noam Elimelech which is divided into sections according to the cycle of the weeks in the year. It is considered to be an introduction to classical Hassidic thought, an esoteric work which is a treasure-trove of wisdom and learning replete with multi-levels of understanding. The sefer reflects some of the central ideas and philosophies of Hassidut, paying much attention to the role of the Tzaddik.
Adraba itself is a tefillah before tefillah – a prayer before prayer. Reb Elimelech asks God to help us see the best in people, to repair our relationships with our peers, eliminate hatred and behave in ways that honor the Almighty.
Tefillah and service of God were central to Reb Elimelech. His philosophy was that it is possible to experience the joy of Olam Haba – the world to come – through the service of God. This time of happiness, of simcha, is not related to physical or material enjoyment. It can only be achieved by learning to incorporate the simcha of service of God into one’s everyday life. The Noam Elimelech said that although the reward for performing a commandment is not given in this world (Kiddushin 39b), “nevertheless joyousness is rewarded in this world.”
The Mishnah in Massechet Taanit writes that משנכנס אב ממעטין בשמחה. Just as when the month of Av, when the Temples were destroyed, begins, we lessen our joy, so too מי שנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה - when the month of Adar arrives, joy is increased. HaRav Nebenzal explains that Av starts with a certain atmosphere which begins for the Ashkenazim on the fast of 17 Tammuz, Shivah Asar B’Tamuz, and observance of particular Halakhot of mourning. During this period we try to understand “what life was like with a Beit HaMikdash, the Temple, and what we are missing. The Mishnah is teaching us that the same is true for Adar, we must begin to work on ourselves to reach a level of true simcha of Purim.” Rav Nebenzal goes on to say that on Purim we can reach true simcha, a feeling of peace and serenity where we have no worries because we realize that Hashem is guiding us. Purim, he says, is a day of serving G-d, avodat Hashem, and we must strive to fulfill it.
It is particularly meaningful that Reb Elimelech passed away in Adar - a month where the overarching theme is joy and happiness. This year 5776 is a leap year, which means that we have two months of Adar and double the days of joy. In a leap year the fast of Esther and Purim are observed in Adar 2. The Talmud in Megillah 6b says that the reasons for this are as follows: just as in a non-leap year the Megillah is read in the month adjacent to Nissan, the same holds true for a leap year and the Megillah should therefore be read in Adar 2. The second reason is to be able to more closely connect the redemption of the Jewish people at the time of Purim to the Redemption from Egypt at Pesach.
But Adar 1 does not lose its significance. The Talmud goes on to say that “There is no difference between the 14th of the first Adar and the 14th of the second Adar save in the matter of reading the Megillah and gifts to the poor.” Purim Katan as the 14th of Adar 1 is called is an occasion of joy and celebration. In line with the teachings of Reb Elimelech, we should seize the opportunity to make this Adar 1 a special month – joyous, holy, meaningful, transformative.
Wishing you all two exuberant months of Adar.
Chaya Bina Katz has been the Director of Development at Matan for the past 8 years, involved with creating and growing new initiatives and programs. Chaya studied Law at Bar Ilan University. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband Yaakov and their 4 children.