The Jewish month of Adar starts today. This is the most joyous month of the year and we are meant to be extra joyful throughout the entire month.
Why are we joyful during Adar?
Is it only due to the great happy festival of Purim? Why is that more deserving of joy than other celebrations?
*
When G-d instructs the Jewish people to build Him a Sanctuary He says, “Speak to the children of Israel, and have them take for Me a donation; from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My donation.”
This week’s parsha, Teruma, describes the many details of the Mishkan. The Jewish people were very generous and offered more than what was necessary for this Divine abode. There was a finite amount of wood, gold, silver and other materials necessary to construct the Mishkan. So why did G-d leave it open-ended? Why didn’t He say, “Donate 500 pounds of gold,” or something similar?
And, why does the Torah repeat itself, first demanding all to donate and then specifying that a collection be made “every person whose heart inspires him to generosity?”
The Chassidic Masters offer a different perspective on the Mishkan instruction. G-d isn’t only demanding that the Jewish people build a Mishkan in the wilderness. He is asking each of us to become a Sanctuary for G-d. By doing more mitzvot and becoming more holy, we create a Sanctuary for G-d, a miniature Mishkan.
Inner change and behavioral improvement require inspiration. Sometimes that inspiration is there and sometimes it seems absent. And, then there are times that it comes out of nowhere. Inexplicably, we suddenly feel motivated. Where does this burst of stimulus come from?
The mystics describe this as it’aruta di’l’ayla – and arousal from Above. It’s G-d reaching out. Essentially, it’s the spiritual equivalent of a freebie. G-d expects us to use this empowerment and not squander it.
But capitalizing on His momentum isn’t enough. Hashem also desires our own effort, pulling ourselves up from our own bootstraps. In fact, this is where He really wants to dwell – in the home that we build for Him on our own accord.
G-d gives us a boost, but then takes a step back. He is like the mother who holds her young daughter’s hand and eventually let’s go.
Now we can understand the double language. G-d first tells the Jewish people, ‘I will empower you to donate.’ After all, being asked by G-d Himself for a specific contribution is motivation enough!
But, then G-d leaves it up to us: “from every person whose heart inspires him to generosity, you shall take My donation.”
G-d gets us started, but we need to find our own inspiration to take it to the next level!
*
In many instances in Jewish history G-d has been there for us. From Pesach to Shavuot; from Rosh Hashanah to Sukkot – we are keenly aware of Hashem’s hand in charting our course.
Even Chanukah, a challenging time, occurred when the Jews all lived together in Israel.
But, during the Purim story, it was a time of exile. Jews were dispersed throughout many lands and were suffering the cruel oppression of antisemitism. It seemed as if maybe G-d had abandoned them.
Nonetheless, they lifted their own spirits and stood strong as Jews, leading to the Divine salvation.
The Jews weren’t visibly granted a freebie from G-d. They earned it all of their own accord.
When you get a gift, you’re happy. But, when you earn something on your own – that’s real joy!
The world around us poses challenges. But, we know that behind the scenes, Almighty G-d has our back. And, we will stand strong to live our lives as Jews – joyously!