In just 14 days, it will be February 29th - the extra day we get every few years. Someone asked me, "What are you doing with this extra day? Finding 29 new friends? Starting new projects? Or planning something special?"
Those are all good ideas, but for us as Jews, we celebrate the Jewish leap year, which means we get an extra month called Adar, known as the month of Joy.
Now, let me ask you something similar. What are you doing for the Jewish leap year? How will you make yourself happier? We have 30 extra days of Joy!
In the Torah, it says we should always "Serve Hashem with joy" (Devarim, 28:47). During the month of Adar, we don't just serve Hashem with happiness like usual, but with even more happiness - super happiness!
Our job in this world is to make Hashem feel at home. Just like a person feels at home with their whole heart, we need to make this world a comfy place for Hashem too.
Hashem likes to be where there's happiness. So, if we want to make this world a good home for Hashem, we need to always be happy.
Feeling down? The Talmud tells us, "I was only created to serve my Master," and since Hashem likes happy places, we should always be happy.
So, the secret of the Jewish leap year is to be super happy, even when things are tough.
How will you increase your joy?
Have a great Shabbat,
Rabbi Kushi Schusterman