Adar, whether the year has one or two, is supposed to be a time for joy. But this year I've been to too many funerals and shiva (comforting the mourner) visits. Just short of a month ago, when we celebrated Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef, I commented to many that the fruit trees looked so bare of flowers that it seemed much more like we should call the month Shevat Bet, the Second Shevat. That's because there were almost no signs of a שקידיה פורחת
Shakadiya Porachat, Almond trees blooming on TU B'Shvat this year. I was certain that we'd be waiting until Adar Bet (the Second Adr) to see the pink and white flowers.
I was wrong. This Adar Alef suddenly had a heatwave, and the fruit trees have not only bloomed, but the petals have already fallen wastefully to the ground. And not only that, but young people have died. Friends and neighbors have lost children.
It has not been a joyful Adar Alef. I have seen too many graves and shed too many tears.
I'm writing this post the day before it is to be posted. The day of posting, the day you'll see this article is the 29th of Adar Alef. There is to be one more day of the month, but that day is already Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet.
May the true joy begin and may all the mourners be comforted. We need some smachot, joyful news and joyful occasions. Gd willing...
