During times of upheaval, I often find myself thinking of my ancestors, wondering how they navigated the challenges they faced. Though the circumstances are different, I imagine they too felt uncertainty, helplessness, and fear. I often ask myself: How did they find joy in their lives? As we enter the Hebrew month of Adar, I am reminded that not only did they find joy, but they were obligated to do so — and in this moment, that reminder is especially poignant.
With each passing day of this administration, and the ongoing devastation that marginalized communities are experiencing, it feels as though joy may be something we’re not allowed to have. Most people I know seem overwhelmed by worry, grief, and exhaustion, with little capacity for happiness. Yet, our tradition tells us something different. Joy is not just permitted — it is essential. The Talmud teaches us: “When Adar arrives, we increase our joy.” (Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 29a)
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Adar is a month that invites us into an ancient, collective experience. It calls us to cultivate joy, even when we do not feel it naturally. Our ancestors knew there would be Adars when joy was hard to find, yet they committed themselves to honor the spirit of the month, to dare to seek joy even in the hardest times. This practice — choosing joy despite difficult circumstances — is a core part of why our people have not only survived but, in many ways, thrived through the generations.
Our tradition doesn’t ask us what we feel; it tells us to live according to a spiritual value system greater than ourselves. In this way, we are not merely spectators of our emotions, but active participants in shaping our lives. The system compels us to act, even when we don’t know how we feel. And it is through this very act of choosing joy that we connect to something larger, something that transcends our individual experience. Joy, then, is not just an emotion; it is a practice. It is something we must choose, especially when it feels out of reach.
What is it about Adar that invites this joy? For one, Adar is the last month of the mystical calendar, marking the completion of the year’s cycle. It is a time of celebration, a time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and look ahead. The Hebrew letter associated with Adar, kuf, is connected to the word kadosh, meaning “holy” — suggesting that joy has the power to elevate us, to connect us with the sacred. And of course, there is Purim, the holiday that falls during Adar, reminding us that joy can emerge from grief. The Hebrew Bible describes Adar as “the month that was reversed for them from grief to joy.” (Esther 9:22) This idea of transformation — from sorrow to happiness — is one of the most powerful aspects of this month. For those of us sitting in grief, this shift resonates deeply. It reminds us that joy is always possible, even when it feels impossible.
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As we enter Adar, we are invited to move from grief toward the possibility of joy. This is not about denying our sadness, but rather about acknowledging it and then choosing to move forward. In doing so, we resist the forces of despair that seek to define this moment. It is through this act of choosing joy that we become resistors in a world that demands something else from us. By embracing joy, even in the face of hardship, we honor the resilience of our ancestors, who found ways to celebrate and live despite their struggles — and perhaps because of them.
Through our joy, we resist the forces that would have us stay in despair. We affirm our connection to something larger than ourselves — a connection that has sustained our people through every generation. In embracing the energy of Adar, we join with those who came before us, carrying their legacy forward. And through our joy, we not only survive, but thrive, becoming agents of resistance in this present moment.
Tova Leibovic-Douglas is a rabbi, ritualist, spiritual coach, writer, and teacher based in Los Angeles. She is a graduate of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, a former fellow of New Ground, M2, and Atra, and the founder and director of The Ritual House. Tova is a proud work-in-progress and an advocate for looking up at the moon and ritualizing the little things. You can follow and learn more: @rabbi_tova or www.rabbitova.com.