Adar Joy-Renewal

The 11th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Eliezer Lipman Weisblum, father of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and Reb Zusha of Annipoli: The Torah teaches man how to conduct himself. Thus, the Torah was given on Sinai in order that man should learn always to be humble and self-deprecating, even as God scorned the high mountains and chose Mount Sinai, which was the lowest mountain of all. This is the meaning of, “in the desert of Sinai (Numbers 1:1).”

Nevertheless, man must strive to avoid despondency, for self abasement can cause him to fall into melancholy, which is a great impediment to the service of the Creator. Therefore, the Torah cautioned man always to be in a state of joy, for the divine spirit does not repose upon a depressed person (Shabbat 30b). This is the meaning of, “in the tent of meeting– Moed,” a person should place himself in the tent of the Moed, which is synonymous with joy, for Moed means “a holiday.”

“On the first day of the second month– Chodesh,[as in Chadash, or ‘new’]” may be interpreted to mean, if one would say, “How can I rejoice after having sinned so much?” The Torah says, “Nevertheless, let him repent joyfully and say courageously, ‘ It is as if I had been born today, and I shall never again return to such foolishness.’” This is called “renewal,” for he is like a newborn creature. (Noam Elimelech, Bamidbar)