משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה
“When one enters Adar, one increases joy.”
Tonight marks Rosh Hodesh, the beginning of the Jewish lunar month of Adar I. This year—as noted in Thursday’s kavannah—is a leap year in the Jewish calendar, which means that there are two months of Adar. As such, although Purim is celebrated in the month of Adar, we will not celebrate it for another 45 days, in the middle of Adar II.
Nevertheless, both Adar I and Adar II are considered seasons of joy in Jewish tradition, owing to their association with Purim. We are reminded during these months to find cause for celebration, either in the joys we share among loved ones and friends, or in the appreciation and compassion we show for the stranger.
As a civilization that increasingly finds itself online, sharing joy with the stranger seems more and more difficult, but practicing mindfulness in our online interactions can create opportunities for meaningfully enriching others. Sending a thoughtful message, a gift, a personalized note of congratulations, or even a note of thanks (or an extra tip) has never been easier. Though the internet often seems to bring out the worst in us, it has the potential to bring out the best by putting the world at our fingertips, which begs the question: How will we spread the joy of Adar during the next two months?
— Rabbi Josh Knobel