When Adar begins we increase joy. When the first day of Adar falls out on Shabbat, we read parashat Shekalim (Megillah 29a). This year, when we read parashat Shekalim on Shabbat, this actually precedes Adar's arrival on Monday.
In Adar we increase our joy over the miracles and wonders that G-d performed for our ancestors and for us: "In the days of Mordechai and Esther, when the wicked Haman rose up against them, seeking to destroy, slay and wipe out all the Jews? You in Your great mercy frustrated his counsel? causing his mischief to recoil on his own head." (From the Al HaNissim prayer for the day of Purim.)
Our sages link these miracles and wonders to the people's half-shekel silver contribution to the Tabernacle. After all, it was perfectly clear to G-d that wicked Haman was going to weigh out talents of silver towards the annihilation of Israel. He therefore introduced Israel's silver contribution in advance (Tractate Megillah).
Our increased joy over G-d's miracles combines together with the joy of unity revealed through the mitzvah of the half-shekel contribution towards the communal offerings. That sum would be given each year at the start of the month of Nissan when the Temple was standing. Everyone would contribute equally to the treasury. "The rich may not give more and the poor may not give less than this half-shekel." (Exodus 30:15)
When Haman's threat loomed, Esther had Mordechai gather all the Jews together to pray and fast (Esther 4:16). When unity reigns in Israel, joy reigns as well. This leads G-d to perform miracles and wonders for us.
Today, the unity of Israel is being revealed in the Land and the State of Israel. The Jewish People are described as "one nation in the Land." (II Samuel 7:23) That is, when they are in the Land, they are one nation. In the exile, they are "scattered and dispersed among the peoples." (Esther 3:8)
Unity, likewise, must find expression through Israel's national state budget.
In a healthy family, the family budget has to be run by all together, out of mutual understanding and appreciation, and obviously, out of consideration for the family's needs. This makes it possible for the entire family to live in security and happiness. Yet, when there is no understanding and agreement on how to run the family budget, it creates distrust, insecurity, tension, anger and irritation.
It is the same with the national budget. That, as well, must operate based on broad-based national understanding and consensus, taking into account and showing sensitivity to the poor and weak. It is precisely they who must be strengthened and encouraged, as Scripture states regarding G-d: "The L-rd preserves the stranger. He upholds the fatherless and the widow." (Psalm 146:9) The greater the increase in unity, the greater will be our joy.
In Adar we increase our joy over the miracles and wonders that G-d performed for our ancestors and for us: "In the days of Mordechai and Esther, when the wicked Haman rose up against them, seeking to destroy, slay and wipe out all the Jews? You in Your great mercy frustrated his counsel? causing his mischief to recoil on his own head." (From the Al HaNissim prayer for the day of Purim.)
Our sages link these miracles and wonders to the people's half-shekel silver contribution to the Tabernacle. After all, it was perfectly clear to G-d that wicked Haman was going to weigh out talents of silver towards the annihilation of Israel. He therefore introduced Israel's silver contribution in advance (Tractate Megillah).
Our increased joy over G-d's miracles combines together with the joy of unity revealed through the mitzvah of the half-shekel contribution towards the communal offerings. That sum would be given each year at the start of the month of Nissan when the Temple was standing. Everyone would contribute equally to the treasury. "The rich may not give more and the poor may not give less than this half-shekel." (Exodus 30:15)
When Haman's threat loomed, Esther had Mordechai gather all the Jews together to pray and fast (Esther 4:16). When unity reigns in Israel, joy reigns as well. This leads G-d to perform miracles and wonders for us.
Today, the unity of Israel is being revealed in the Land and the State of Israel. The Jewish People are described as "one nation in the Land." (II Samuel 7:23) That is, when they are in the Land, they are one nation. In the exile, they are "scattered and dispersed among the peoples." (Esther 3:8)
Unity, likewise, must find expression through Israel's national state budget.
In a healthy family, the family budget has to be run by all together, out of mutual understanding and appreciation, and obviously, out of consideration for the family's needs. This makes it possible for the entire family to live in security and happiness. Yet, when there is no understanding and agreement on how to run the family budget, it creates distrust, insecurity, tension, anger and irritation.
It is the same with the national budget. That, as well, must operate based on broad-based national understanding and consensus, taking into account and showing sensitivity to the poor and weak. It is precisely they who must be strengthened and encouraged, as Scripture states regarding G-d: "The L-rd preserves the stranger. He upholds the fatherless and the widow." (Psalm 146:9) The greater the increase in unity, the greater will be our joy.