ASPECTS OF JOY

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is well.

This Shabbos is Shabbos mevorchim Adar 1.

And because this year is a leap year, we have 2 Adars

And it is well known that when Adar arrives, we should increase in simcha - JOY

JOY has many facets, and this week it came up in a few places.

Sedra - Mishpatim

In 23:14 it says : "Three times a year you shall celebrate Festivals for Me." Ie Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkos

So it is a Mitzvah to celebrate the 3 Festivals, and there is an additional Mitzvah to be joyous on the Festivals.

Gemorra Shabbos

Just today I was learning p30b and it was discussing joy, laughter, sadnesss etc:

"The praise of JOY mentioned here is to teach you that that the Divine Presence rests upon an individual, neither from an atmosphere of sadness, nor from an atmosphere of laziness, nor from an atmosphere of laughter, nor from an atmosphere of frivolity, nor from an atmosphere of idle conversation, nor from an atmosphere of idle chatter. But rather from an atmosphere imbued with the JOY OF A MITZVAH...........Rava said: And so too, one should be joyful before going to sleep, in order to have a good dream."

Other aspects of halachah from this same page:

Rambam Hilchos Sukkah 8:15 talking about the joy on Sukkos, simchas beis hashoevah - It is a great mitzvah to maximise joy at these celebrations with music, singing, whistling, fire

displays, hand clapping etc.

Anyone who exerts himself to be happy at these celebrations is performing a great service.

Whoever holds himself proud and holds back, is a sinner and a fool.

Even David Hamelech humbled himself in front of the crowds and was dancing wildly and whistling before Hashem saying, 'There is no greatness and honour, except to rejoice before

Hashem'

Talk from the Rebbe

The Rebbe mentioned that in a year when we have 2 Adar, there are 60 days to express JOY.

In the same way as there is a halacha concept that a negative item will get lost in a solution measure of 1 in 60, so we have the opportunity in double Adar to eliminate negative aspects of our own natures in 60 days of JOY.

Wishing all a Gut Shabbos and a Gut Chodesh with joy!