Sicha, Parshas Mishpatim 5735
And Sicha, Parshas Yisro 5737
A. The Uniqueness of the Month of Adar
Our Sages teach that with the onset of the month of Adar, one should increase in joy throughout the entire month. The joy of Adar is also expressed in halacha.
The Rema rules that weddings are generally not held during the second half of certain months; however, in the month of Adar, weddings are conducted even in the latter half, because it is a month of joy.
Another expression of the joy of Adar is found in the halachic ruling that the Megillah may be read on various days throughout the month.
Additionally, our Sages advise that if a Jew has a legal dispute with a non-Jew, they should arrange the case during the month of Adar, for the fortune of the Jewish people is strong and favorable throughout the month, increasing the likelihood of success.
B. The dispute with the non-Jew
The Rebbe teaches that every event in the world must have its root and source within the Jewish people, for all of creation was made for Israel. The reason there can be a situation in which a Jew has a legal dispute with a non-Jew is that the Jew has a dispute with the “non-Jew” within themself.
The proper approach is to correct the cause, and then the effect will automatically be corrected.
This is similar to physical illness: true healing does not merely treat the symptoms but uproots the underlying cause of the disease. Once the root is healed, the symptoms disappear on their own. The same applies in a person’s spiritual life: when someone does something undesirable, it is only a symptom of a deeper spiritual illness in the heart or mind. Therefore, it is not enough to correct the action alone; one must address the root and heal the spiritual flaw that led to the action—namely, arrogance and coldness toward matters of holiness.
So too in our case: when a Jew prevails in judgment against the evil within his own soul, this leads to victory as well over the external non-Jew with whom they are engaged in dispute.
The month of Adar is considered a time of favor and an especially auspicious period for conducting this inner “trial” against the non-Jew within each of us—and this brings great joy.
