אוֹר זָרֻעַ לַצַּדִּיק וּלְיִשְׁרֵי-לֵב שִׂמְחָה
Light is sown for the righteous, and for the upright of heart, joy!
During the Hebrew month of Adar, our tradition encourages us to increase our joy. So many of our Jewish texts are connected to light and elation, and I particularly love these words above from Psalm 97:11, which remind us that goodness and whole-heartedness are both feasible pathways to a deep internal sense of joy.
Especially after a year of so much solitude, sickness, and heavy-heartedness, this month of Adar—particularly this festive week of Purim—is a welcome invitation for us to stop, celebrate, and notice the bright spots in our lives. This week, how might we withdraw even just a bit from our busyness or our struggles and savor a few (or more!) moments of joy every single day? A walk in the sunshine, cooking with your kids, doing something helpful for someone else, re-reading a favorite book, dancing to a perfect playlist, literally stopping to smell the flowers—seek out those opportunities to tap into the charm and happiness of the moment whenever possible.
I hope throughout this festive week of Purim and the entire month of Adar that you feel the simchah, the joy we read of in our psalms, that is accessible to you. Wishing you a healthy, hopeful, and joyful week ahead!
— Cantor Emma Lutz