TorahFax - Monday, Adar I  1, 5760 / February 7, 2000

bs"d.

Today is the second day Rosh Chodesh Adar 1.  This year, being
a leap year in the Hebrew calendar, we have two months of
Adar (Adar 1 & Adar 2).

The reason for the additional month is that the Hebrew calendar
year, which is based on a lunar cycle, consists of 354 days in
contrast to the solar year which has 365 days.  Due to the
difference, Passover will fall back 10 days each year and will
at times occur in the other seasons of the year. But the Torah
tells us that Passover must be celebrated in the spring.
To ensure that Passover will always occur in the spring, we make
an adjustment by adding an extra month (Adar) every few years.
Thus, we have seven leap years during each 19 year cycle.

Our sages say, "Mishenichnas Adar, Marbim B'Simcha - "When Adar
begins, we increase in joy."  Although we must serve G-d
"with happiness" throughout the year, yet, we "increase" our Simcha
in the month(s) of Adar, the month in which the miracle of Purim
took place.   Purim is celebrated in Adar 2.

Simcha-Happiness is an important part of our Jewish faith, religion
and the service of G-d.  King David in Psalm 100 says, "Ivdu et
Hashem B'Simcha bo'u l'fanav birnana," - "Serve G-d with happiness,
come before Him with joyous song."   Every mitzvah performed with
happiness not only enhances the mitzvah, it also shows our
appreciation to G-d for the opportunity to observe it.   Our sages
tell us that Simcha (happiness) comes from Kedusha (holiness),
whereas sadness and dejection comes from the "other side."

According to the teachings of the Tanya, sadness and dejection are
of the most powerful tactics of the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination).
Through them, the Yetzer Hara traps a person into losing the will
and strength to overcome any obstacles which may appear to be placed
on the road of Torah and mitzvot.  As a result, the person will fall
deeper into the clutches of the Yetzer Hara.

The Tanya explains this concept with a parable of two people engaged
in battle.  If one of the fighters is dejected and the other happy
and in good spirits, the happy person will be faster and have more
energy to win the battle--even if his opponent is stronger.  Thus,
feelings of dejection and sadness take away one's will power and
strength and will cause him to fail.

Similarly, say our sages, every person finds himself in the middle
of a constant battle between good and evil.  Therefore, a person
must always be on guard to make the right decisions.  However,
this can only be achieved when the person is in control.  To be in
full control, one must think positive, feel positive and be happy.

"Think good and it will be good!" a great Rebbe told his Chassid.
The Chassid had a child who was so ill that the doctors had all
given up hope. However, the Chassid listened to the Rebbe's
directive and only thought positive.  Eventually, his son became
well.

"Throughout my life," the Chassid told his friends, "whenever
there was a problem whether in health or business, I always
remembered the Rebbe's command, "Think good and it will be good".
I didn't let the negative thoughts overcome me.  I would think
positive, and just like the Rebbe predicted, things would turn
out positive."

As we enter the month of Adar we should remember to increase in
happiness, think positive and things will be  positive!

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND
INCREASINGLY HAPPY CHODESH-MONTH

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