The first day of Adar can fall on either Shabbat, Monday, Wednesday or Friday; these are the only days of the week on which the first of Adar can occur. These four days are represented by the acrostic “Zabdu,” which consists of the letters Zayin (referring to Shabbat), Bet (referring to Monday), Dalet (referring to Wednesday) and Vav (referring to Friday). This year (5772/2012), of course, the first of Adar falls on Friday.
Our Hachamim teach us that the twelve months correspond to the twelve possible configurations of the divine Name of “Havaya.” This Name has four letters, which can be arranged in twelve different sequences. Each of the months is under the influence of one such configuration. The Arizal (Rav Yishak Luria of Safed, 1534-1572) taught that when one recites the middle Beracha of the Amida of Musaf on Rosh Hodesh – the Beracha that concludes, “Baruch Ata Hashem Mekadesh Yisrael Ve’Rasheh Hodashim” – he should have in mind the configuration that corresponds to that month. The configuration of the month of Adar is Heh-Heh, followed by Yod-Vav. This sequence is alluded to in Yaakob’s blessing to his son Yehuda before his death, in which he says, “Oseri La’gefen Iro Ve’la’soreka Beni Atono” (Bereshit 49:11). The final letters of the words “Iro Ve’la’soreka Beni Atono” are “Heh,” “Heh,” “Yod,” “Vav,” alluding to the configuration of God’s Name that corresponds to the month of Adar. One should have this configuration in mind when reciting the middle Beracha of the Amida of Musaf on Rosh Hodesh Adar.
This Kavana (intention) is especially significant. The Hachamim teach us that the two Heh letters in the divine Name represent the attribute of “Din” (judgment), which is the “female” aspect of the Name. The other two letters – Yod and Vav – signify divine Mercy, the “male” aspect. When a month’s configuration begins with the two Heh letters, that month is, in its purest form, under the influence of “Din.” Therefore, the month of Adar, which is under the influence of Heh-Heh Yod-Vav, is, at its core, under the power of divine judgment. However, as we know from the Megila, there is the possibility of “Ve’nahafoch Hu,” of reversing the power of harsh judgment to mercy through prayer, repentance, fasting and charity. Even though the essence of Adar is under the influence of “Din,” it is within our power to reverse the influence to that of divine compassion.
This concept is alluded to in Megilat Ester, in the seemingly peculiar decree proposed by Memuchan, an advisor of King Ahashverosh. After Vashti disobeyed the king, Memuchan – who, according to one view in the Gemara, was the prophet Daniel – suggested that the king issue a decree that all husbands in the empire should assert authority in their homes: “Lihiyot Kol Ish Sorer Be’beto” (Ester 1:22). It is possible that Daniel saw through his prophetic vision that the attribute of “Din,” which is the “female” aspect of the divine Name, was gaining strength and posed a threat to the Jewish people. He sought to reverse this dangerous situation by requiring the husbands, the males, to assert their authority, thus bolstering the power of the “male” aspect of the Name, the attribute of kindness and compassion. Sure enough, his efforts were successful and the harsh judgment of Adar was transformed into mercy for the Jewish people.
Thus, although the month of Adar is represented by a configuration beginning with Heh-Heh, and should therefore be a month of judgment, we are able to transform the nature of this month and bring upon ourselves divine compassion through our repentance and good deeds.
