When the month of Adar begins, our Sages teach: “When Adar enters, we increase in joy.”
This is not just a nice sentence. It is a life instruction. Joy is not only a feeling that comes and goes. It is something we build. This idea connects deeply to Parashat Terumah.
In this parashah, God commands the Jewish people to build the Mishkan, a holy place where His Presence will dwell among them. The connection between the beginning of Adar and Parashat Terumah teaches us that real joy is built step by step, just like the Mishkan was built. It is created through giving, unity, faith, and turning ordinary life into something holy.
‘Joy is a choice’
The first message is that joy is a choice. In Parashat Terumah, the Torah says that the donations for the Mishkan should come from “every person whose heart moves him.” The giving had to come from the heart. No one was forced.
In the same way, joy in Adar is not forced. It does not depend only on our situation, money, or success. It depends on our heart and our decision. A person can choose to focus on problems, or choose to focus on blessings. Choosing joy does not mean ignoring difficulties. It means believing that even inside challenges, there is purpose and hope.
When we decide to see the good, to say thank you, and to trust God, we begin to build joy inside ourselves. Just like the Mishkan was built with willing hearts, our inner world is built by our daily choices.
“Me a sanctuary”
The second message is that each person is a small sanctuary. In Parashat Terumah it says, “They shall make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell among them.” It does not say “in it,” but “among them.” This teaches that God does not only dwell in a building. He dwells within people. Every person has a holy spark inside.
The month of Adar reminds us that joy opens the heart and allows God’s Presence to be felt. When a person is full of sadness and anger, the heart feels closed. But when a person works on joy, gratitude, and faith, the heart becomes open and bright. Just as the Mishkan was built from many materials—gold, silver, wood, and beautiful fabrics—each of us has different talents, strengths, and abilities.
The question is what we do with them. Do we use them only for ourselves, or do we use them to create something meaningful? Adar calls us to believe in our value. You are not random. You are needed. Your life can be a place where holiness lives.
Giving = happiness
The third message is that giving creates true happiness. The Mishkan was built from the donations of the people. Everyone brought what they could. Some gave gold, some gave silver, some gave simple materials. But every gift mattered. The giving itself created connection and excitement.
In the month of Adar, we celebrate the holiday of Purim. On Purim we are commanded to give gifts to the poor and send food to friends. Why? Because real joy grows when we think about others. When a person gives, he does not become smaller. He becomes bigger. His heart grows. Many people think happiness comes from receiving more. But the Torah teaches that happiness comes from giving more. A kind word, a smile, a small act of help—these are modern-day “donations” that build a spiritual Mishkan. When we give from the heart, we feel connected to something greater than ourselves. That connection brings deep joy.
Power of unity
The fourth message is the power of unity. The Mishkan was not built from one material alone. Gold alone was not enough. Wood alone was not enough. Only when all the different pieces came together did the Mishkan become complete. In the same way, the Jewish people are made of many different types of individuals. Different personalities, backgrounds, opinions, and strengths.
In the story of Purim, the people were united in prayer and fasting. Their unity brought salvation. Adar teaches us that when we stand together, we are stronger. In our families, workplaces, and communities, we may not always agree. But we can choose respect and cooperation. When we focus only on differences, we create separation. When we focus on shared goals and shared values, we create a place where God’s Presence can rest.
Unity does not mean everyone is the same. It means everyone brings their unique gift to a shared mission. Just like the Mishkan needed every part, our world needs every person.
Bringing holiness into the world
The fifth message is learning to turn physical life into spiritual meaning. Parashat Terumah speaks in great detail about measurements, materials, and physical objects. Everything had exact sizes and clear instructions. This teaches us that holiness is not separate from the physical world. Instead, we take physical things and use them for a higher purpose.
In our daily lives, we work, earn money, cook food, build homes, and use technology. These are physical actions. But they can become holy when we use them with the right intention. A family meal can become a moment of gratitude and connection. A business can become a place of honesty and kindness. Free time can become an opportunity to help others or learn something meaningful.
Adar reminds us that joy comes when we see purpose in ordinary life. We do not need to escape the world to find holiness. We need to bring holiness into the world.
Adar’s 5 messages
As the month of Adar begins and we read Parashat Terumah, we receive a powerful message. Joy is something we build. Holiness is something we create. When we choose joy, believe in our inner value, give with an open heart, live in unity, and raise our physical lives to a higher purpose, we are building our own Mishkan. We are creating a space where God can dwell within us and among us.
May this month of Adar fill us with true and lasting joy. May we build lives of meaning, kindness, and faith. And may we merit to feel that the Divine Presence truly lives within our hearts and within our shared world.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Asher Vaknin
BJCC Rabbi
of the Bukharian Youth
And I approve this message
By Rabbi Asher Vaknin