Mizmor, a sixteen-year-old Israeli girl, anticipates the first day of the month of Adar with excitement. She knows the month will be marked with feasts, jokes, and a general relaxation of rules, and all because Masechet Ta?anit commands ?Mishenichnas Adar marbim besimcha?: as the month of Adar approaches, our happiness intensifies. Megilat Esther 8:17-18 and 9:22 commands us to be happy not only on Purim (layhudim hayta orah vesimcha vesasson vayikar) but during the entire month of Adar, which began earlier this week. For Jews, Adar triggers a month of celebration and delight, reminiscent of the Jews? jubilation that they survived Haman?s threat.
Purim is often thought of as a time to feast, drink, enjoy life and celebrate with loved ones. The day is marked by a Purim Se?udah, a special feast, and vivacious, lively parades dot the streets of Israel. Yet why do Talmudic and Rabbinic sources emphasize the importance of being happy on Purim? Shouldn?t Jews always strive for happiness, contentment and pride in their rich, strong identities?
One way to explore the commandment to be happy on Purim is by looking at Megilat Esther. Almost immediately after we are reminded to be happy, we are told to give mishloach manot (packages and gifts to others) and matanot la?evionim (gifts to the poor). Are these mitzvot arbitrarily clumped together, or are they all somehow connected? Instead of viewing each mitzvah as an individual custom, let?s look at them as a sequence of actions and reactions. Perhaps we are specifically commanded to be happy on Purim in order to enhance other peoples? happiness rather than our own: simple acts of compassion such as helping the poor and sending mishloach manot are powerful enough to boost other peoples? joy and gladness. Rather than simply partaking in the pleasures of feasting and celebrating, let?s think of the commandment to be happy in a newer, wholesome way, by using our abilities to bestow joy on others, especially those that do not have the means to provide for themselves.
Our ability to make others happy explains why we are specifically reminded to rejoice happy during Adar and Purim: hopefully, the implication is not that Jews are generally miserable (putting those nagging Jewish mothers aside) but rather that we should transcend our usual methods of pleasing ourselves by reaching out to support others. By reminding others that we care, we are strengthening the ties amongst ourselves and creating bonds within Jewish communities. Small reminders of Jewish compassion and hope allow us to sample some of the elation and euphoria that Mordechai, Ester and all the Jews felt knowing that their people would flourish and thrive.
Jewish tradition reminds us that ?kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh:? all of Israel are responsible for one another. Although Purim is the perfect excuse for a party, let?s consider this idea of promoting public happiness through compassion before we break out the Manishewitz. Of course each individual should partake in Purim?s festivities and significance, but we can also pool our positive resources and qualities to include as many people as possible.

Shabbat Shalom!