* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
1. ”When Adar arrives, we increase in joy,” and it arrives today. Today and tomorrow we observe Rosh Chodesh Adar.
2. Today and tomorrow, as on every Rosh Chodesh, in addition to the usual morning prayers, chapters from the book of Psalms are recited in the Hallel prayer, followed by a Torah reading and the Mussaf, an additional Amidah prayer service. We also insert the beautiful words beginning with "Ya'aleh VeYavo" into the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) prayers on Rosh Chodesh, as follows:
“Our God and God of our fathers, may there ascend, approach, and reach, be seen, accepted, and heard, recalled and remembered before you, the remembrance of moshiach the son of David, Your servant, the remembrance of Jerusalem Your holy city, and the remembrance of all Your people the House of Israel, for deliverance, well-being, grace, kindness, mercy, good life and peace on this Rosh Chodesh."
3. One of the expressions identified with the month of Adar appears in Megillat Esther, the book of Esther: ”Venahafoch hu”; that is, everything flips. Just as in the Megillah everything is suddenly turned upside down as impending doom is displaced by salvation, similar surprises can happen in the world today and even in our own lives when suddenly evil gives way to good and darkness is dispelled by light. As the Megillah states: “And for the Jews there was light, joy, gladness and honor.”
4. The source of the word "Adar" is Babylonian, but the Hebrew can also be read as א'-דר: the Lord ('א) dwells (דר). In other words, God is uniquely present during this month.
5. Our sages remind us that Adar is also a joyful time since it was the last month of Egyptian exile prior to the Exodus which occurred in the following month of Nissan. In other words, this is the final month before Pesach and our redemption.
Have a month full of goodness and joy!
