Join us each week as we journey across the United States and gather words of Torah from rabbanim representing each of the fifty states. This week we are pleased to feature divrei Torah from Rabbi Ari Dembitzer of Omaha, Nebraska.
Chazal tell us that as opposed to in the month of Av where we minimize joy, in the month of Adar we increase our joy. They also tell us that we will benefit from doing business dealings in this month. What is so special about this month? Why should we increase our joy and find success in our investments?
Rav Kook explains that there are two ways of revealing Godliness in the world. One way is through restriction and the other is through expansiveness. First we need to go through a process of minimizing pleasure, restricting ourselves, even fasting, to show that we submit to G-d’s will. However, the higher revelation comes about when we indulge in and enjoy the physical world around us – when we recognize and reveal G-d in its enjoyments. This process builds throughout the year, but culminates in the months of Shevat and Adar. In Shevat we go out into nature; we listen to nature’s song; we are inspired by nature’s beauty. Then we draw from nature’s song to create our own song, which is unlimited because of the soul that resides within us.
Similarly Rav Kook, in Orot Hatshuva, explains the importance of simcha on Sukkos. He says that after the increased intensity and seriousness of the High Holidays, with its focus on improving ourselves, we need to not lose trust in the world around us. After this high level of spirituality, we need to regain the awareness of the physical world and the way we deal with it. So we go out of our homes, indulge and enjoy the world.
The month of Adar is the month of joy. It’s the time when we reaccepted the Torah. During this time our bodies don’t have to be forced to accept the yoke of Shamayim. Our bodies, together with our souls, embrace the Torah. We infuse our bodies with our spirit. Our dealings, therefore, will be successful as they are another way of revealing G-d.
However, on Purim, the climax of joy, we take it a step farther. We say that G-d is one, and we are so intoxicated with that reality that we see no difference between good and evil – everything is for the good because everything brings us closer to the Source.
This is the joy of Adar. May we merit to reveal G-d in success, health and ultimately in the redemption of the Jewish people and the world.
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Omaha has a rich Jewish history and can boast of significant rabbinic leadership. Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Grodzinsky (cousin and Talmid of Reb Chaim Ozer) was a rabbi in Omaha from 1897 until 1947 and is buried there. Rabbi Yechiel Michel Charlop (son of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Charlop) was the rabbi in the years 1923 until 1925. He later was a rabbi in the Bronx for many years.
Currently, Omaha has a delicious bagel store, a deli, and an array of kosher foods in its supermarkets. It has an eiruv and mikvah. There are approximately 6,000 Jews in this very close-knit community. Omaha is one of America’s best-kept secret. It is an incredibly friendly and comfortable community and city to live in with a great job market and very affordable housing.
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State Capital: Lincoln
State Nickname: The Cornhusker State
State Motto: Equality before the law
State Flower: Goldenrod
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
First Shul: Temple Israel of Omaha, founded 1871