In the Jewish calendar, the month of Adar, the month of Purim, marks the transition from the darkness of winter to the spring redemption story that is enacted on the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. This is expressed in the four unique Torah readings of this period, which all address different aspects of preparing for Passover. It may also be behind the well-known rabbinic teaching (Taanit 29a) that when Adar begins, we increase our joy.
It is important to notice that this teaching is not descriptive. It is not a comment on the fact that as the air grows warmer, the hours of daylight lengthen and the first spots of green begin to appear on the trees, we might begin to feel some of the heaviness of winter lifting from our souls. Though this is true, the teaching is articulated as an imperative, calling on us to engage actively in creating more joy in our lives during this period.
In one of its versions of the story of the Exodus, the Zohar understands the capacity to engage in joy not only as a response to redemption, but also as part of the process of achieving redemption.
Come, envision this: When the People of Israel left Egypt, their spirit was broken within, and though they heard songs of praise, they could not rejoice. At the same time, the legions and chariots that accompanied Shekhinah, raised their voices in praise and song before the holy, blessed One, who raised the spirits of Israel so that they could hear those praises, without their spirits leaving them and flying away.
It is only when a person leaves slavery that they realize their brokenness, and the brokenness of their spirit. So also Israel, when they left Egypt, they tasted death. But the holy blessed One healed them, as it says “and YHVH went before them.” The roads all gave off healing scents which entered their bodies and healed them. The sound of the praises that they heard brought joy and rest to their spirits.
Zohar II, 45a
The key to understanding the Zohar’s teaching is the recognition that joy might not be accessible immediately upon being saved. People who are broken in both body and spirit, who have experienced generations of loss, are not fully redeemed the moment oppression is taken away. As we know from the biblical narrative, it took less time to take the people out of Egypt than it did to take Egypt out of the people. Redemption necessitates a long process of healing from the many forms of brokenness inflicted upon the people in slavery.
In the Zohar’s imagination, the mighty warrior God who battled the Egyptians to submission undergoes a transformation and becomes a compassionate and patient caretaker. If the people are to be able to rejoice in their salvation, they must be brought there gently.
It is possible that even if they are in a place where redemption songs are being sung, they cannot sing them themselves. But they do not have to. The blessed holy One makes it possible for them to just listen to the song of the angels who sing for the redemption of the Shekhinah who was also exiled and oppressed in Egypt. The holy blessed One makes it possible for the people to be in the presence of joy without having to be at its center. The holy blessed One further finds ways to allow them to be present for the angelic singing without disassociating.
There are ways in which the moments after oppression can be especially difficult. As defenses are lowered, the pain and injury that had taken a back seat to survival come to the fore. The divine caretaker leads the people on paths of subtle healing, delicate scents entering the body to allow for new possibilities of growth. Slowly, the divine healer carves out space for joy and rest.
Imagine this, says the Zohar. Envision this process.
And remember it in your own lives as this process is enshrined in the calendar. We do not move abruptly from the darkness of winter, from the destruction we connect to in Tevet, to the freedom and celebration of Passover. We have an intermediate stage. Adar is for increasing our capacity for joy — gently.
This piece was originally published as part of A Year of Zohar: Kabbalah for Everyone, an original series produced by My Jewish Learning and Sefaria. Sign up for the entire series here.
