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Marbim Besimcha:[1]
One is to increase in joy throughout the month of Adar.[2] [Hence one is to rejoice himself, his wife and children during this month, similar to the Mitzvah of rejoicing them on Yom Tov.[3] Included in this Mitzvah is increasing in all matters that give one joy.[4] However foremost, one is to add in spiritual matters of joy such as to increase in learning Torah, in particular the inner dimension of Torah, and the scrupulous observance of Mitzvos.[5]]
Q&A Does one increase in Simcha on the first day of Rosh Chodesh which is the 30th of Shevat?[6] Yes. However, the main increase of joy is on the second day of Adar, which is after a full day of the month of Adar has passed.
During a leap year does the Mitzvah to increase in joy apply to both months of Adar? See next Chapter in First Halacha!
Dancing every night of Adar: Many Chabad Yeshivas have the custom of dancing each night of the month of Adar, in light of the command of the Sages to increase in joy during this month.
Increasing in Simcha every day, even after Purim:[7] One is to add in Simcha on every day of the month of Adar. This includes even the days after Purim, in which one is to increase his joy from one day to the next.[8] This is especially true in light of the fact that one is coming closer to the redemption of Pesach, and hence is approximating one redemption to the next.[9]
How is one to fulfill the mitzvah of Marbim Besimcha in the month of Adar? 1. Question: [Tuesday, 30th Shevat 5783] I know that when the month of Adar comes, we are supposed to increase in joy. What however does this practically mean? If I love milk chocolate, should I increase in eating milk chocolates during the month of Adar? Is this truly the meaning of increasing in joy and what the sages intended? Does it mean that I have to put on a smile on my face even when I’m sad? A command to be joyful is very general and abstract, and honestly speaking in most years while I may talk the talk of how one needs to be increasing in joy during this month, I don’t know what practical resolutions are to be taken due to this dictum and what I am supposed to do to fulfill it?
Answer: The mitzvah to increase in joyous matters during the month of Adar is a very personal Mitzvah for a person to increase in matters that give him joy on a personal level, both physical and spiritual, and is not limited to any specific action and does not come to include or exclude any specific action. Some examples of joy increasement which will fulfill this mitzvah can include: treating oneself to a special food delicacy, listening to joyful music, purchasing a new item for oneself that gives him joy, and so on and so forth each person according to what gives him joy. On the spiritual side, this can and should include studying a Torah subject that one is eager to discover and learn, or study a Hasidic text which appeals to him. As the Rebbe points out, the joy must be felt not only on oneself but also in one’s family, and hence a father and mother should try to rejoice their family members with those matters that give them joy. Some families are accustomed in fulfillment of this directive to dance to music each night together as a family. Bottom line, it is in truth the most tangible and non-abstract mitzvah that we have, as everyone is aware that there are matters that give him joy and pleasure, and he is simply to increase in those matters during this month. So yes, if you like milk chocolate and there is no health reason for why you shouldn’t be eating it, then increasing in its consumption during this month would definitely fulfill this mitzvah.
Explanation: The Talmud states as recorded in the Poskim that one is to increase in joy throughout the month of Adar. The details and parameters of how to fulfill this mitzvah are not recorded in the Poskim, and hence we must conclude that it is a general command to increase in all matters that bring one joy and so conclude some of the Achronim and is alluded to in the Rebbe’s talks. To quote from the words of the Nimukeiy Orach Chaim, “Although regarding the month of Av the Talmud explicitly lists those matters in which one should decrease in joy, regarding the month of Adar the Talmud does not state anything other than a general directive to increase in joy…. So the answer is that in truth a Jew is always required to be joyful especially according to the teachings of the Besht and his students and this joy is a biblical obligation as stated in Scripture…… Now regarding the command to increase in joy in the month of Adar, no specifics were recorded as in truth whatever matter that one does that increases personal joy is included in this mitzvah and every person should evaluate and estimate what gives him personal joy. A list of examples of joyful actions is not recorded in the Talmud as this may be mistakenly used to deduce that other actions of joy do not fulfill the command while in truth the mitzvah is to increase in any matter that gives one joy.” The Rebbe adds that this also includes matters of spiritual joy such as to increase in learning Torah, in particular the inner dimension of Torah, and the scrupulous observance of Mitzvos.
Sources: See M”A 686:5; Gemara Taanis 29a; Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 687; Likkutei Sichos 4:1274; Likkutei Sichos 16:345; Sefer Hasichos 1992 p. 391
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Sparks of Chassidus What does the word Adar stand for?[10] The Alef represents Alufo Shel Olam, which refers to Hashem. The word Dar means to live. In the month of Adar, we are able to accomplish that Hashem dwell below in this world and fulfill Dirah Betachtonim.
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| Topic | Details |
| Marbim Besimcha | Increase in joy throughout the month of Adar; rejoice oneself, wife and children; increase in all matters that give one joy; add in spiritual matters such as learning Torah and observance of Mitzvos |
| Increase in Simcha on Rosh Chodesh | Yes, increase on first day (30th Shevat); main increase on second day of Adar |
| Dancing in Adar | Many Chabad Yeshivas dance each night of Adar |
| Increasing Simcha after Purim | Add in Simcha every day of Adar, even after Purim; increase joy from one day to the next; coming closer to Pesach |
| How to fulfill Marbim Besimcha | Increase in matters that give personal joy, both physical and spiritual; not limited to specific actions; examples: special food, joyful music, new item, Torah study, Hasidic text, family dancing |
| Milk Chocolate Example | If you like milk chocolate and no health reason not to eat it, increasing its consumption fulfills the mitzvah |
| Talmudic Source | General directive to increase in joy in Adar; no specifics recorded; every person should evaluate what gives them personal joy |
| Spiritual Joy | Increase in learning Torah, especially inner dimension, and observance of Mitzvos |
| Sources | M”A 686:5; Gemara Taanis 29a; Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 687; Likkutei Sichos 4:1274; Likkutei Sichos 16:345; Sefer Hasichos 1992 p. 391 |
| Sparks of Chassidus | Adar: Alef = Alufo Shel Olam (Hashem); Dar = to live; in Adar, Hashem dwells below and fulfills Dirah Betachtonim |
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[1] M”A 686:5 based on Gemara Taanis 29a
Why was this law omitted by the Michaber? See Chasam Sofer 160; Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 687 as for why this law was not mentioned by the Rambam or Michaber. The Rebbe explains that perhaps the reason the Rambam omitted this law is because he rules one must be in a state of joy throughout the entire year. This is in contrast to the opinion of the Talmud which states only by Adar that one is to increase in joy, hence implying that it is not proper to have extra joy during other months of the year. [Igros Kodesh 27:114] Alternatively, the reason is because there is no action involved in this Mitzvah to increase of joy, as it is merely an addition in one’s feeling, and hence the Rambam did not feel a need to bring it. [Hisvadyos 1991 2 p. 300 Edited]
The comparison to the month of Av: The Gemara ibid states that “just like as Av enters one diminishes in Simcha, similarly when Adar enters one must increase in Simcha.” Regarding the reason for this comparison-see Shaareiy Hamoadim Adar p. 29. In Likkutei Sichos 16:345 the Rebbe explains that just like the entire month of Av is instinctively a month of sadness and mourning and due to this nature, this month was allocated to host the bad occurrences, similarly the month of Adar is intrinsically meritorious, and it is for this reason that it merited to host the miracles of Purim.
[2] The M”A ibid writes based on the Gemara ibid “When Adar enters one is to increase in joy”. The Ashel Avraham Butchach 686 Mahadurah Tinyana writes this Mitzvah applies throughout the month of Adar. See Likkutei Sichos 16:345 brought in previous footnote.
The reason: Rashi [on Taanis 29a] explains that the reason for increasing in joy in Adar is due to the miracles that occurred on Purim and Pesach. The Rebbe [Likkutei Sichos 16:345] explains Rashi to mean that the entire month is a meritorious month for the Jewish people due to the fact that Moshe Rabbeinu was born on this month, and it is due to his merit that we merited the miracles of Purim and Pesach. This is why Rashi also mentioned Pesach in his explanation. Shieilas Yaavetz 2:88 explains the reason for mentioning Pesach is because this shows that the miracles continued for two months and hence, we increase in joy in Adar and not Chanukah, as by Chanukah the miracles were for only one month.
The month of Nissan: Some Poskim write one is also to increase in joy in the month of Nissan. [Elya Raba 685:8; Chasam Sofer 160 based on Rashi Taanis 29a; See Likkutei Sichos 16 p. 344 brought in previous footnote]
[3] Sefer Hasichos 1992 p. 391
[4] Nimukeiy Orach Chaim 687; Likkutei Sichos 4:1274 [Such as planting trees of Kings for shade and the like-ibid]; Likkutei Sichos 16:345 [Its not specifically adding in feasts and merry making, but any type of Simcha]
[5] Sefer Hasichos 1992 p. 391
[6] Shaareiy Moadim Adar 1 p. 20
Shabbos Mevarchim Adar: On a number of occasions the Rebbe stated that one is to begin increasing in joy from Shabbos Mevarchim Adar. [Hisvadyos 1991 p. 300; See Otzer Minhagei Chabad 17]
[7] Likkutei Sichos 4 p. 1274
[8] As if one were to have the same amount of joy each day then it would become habitual and common, thus losing its enthusiasm. This is similar to the requirement to have “Panim Chadashos” by each Sheva Brachos, as otherwise the joy begins to wane off. [ibid]
[9] Sichas Shabbos Para 5731
[10] Meor Eiynayim [Rav Nachum of Chernobyl] Parshas Teruma
