From the Sublime to the Ridiculous: New Moon of Adar 5785
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ShareThe associations with the month of Adar, including humor, concealment, paradox and dissolution. Created for MJL’s Chodesh Circle, 5785.
המליך אות ק' בשחוק
וקשר לו כתר
וצר בו
דגים בעולם
ואדר בשנה
וקרקבן בנפש
זכר ונקבה:
[God] caused the letter קkuf to reign over the domain of Mirth,
attached to it a crown,
and formed its correspondences, aligning it with
the Fishes [Pisces] in the cosmos,
Adar in the year,
and the spleen [or: left leg] in the human, male and female.
Pisces, the 12th house, and the end of the cycle
The Twelfth House: Psyche
AI Overview:
In astrology, the 12th house is the realm of the subconscious mind, dreams, and the unseen. It's also known as the "House of Unconscious” and rules anything hidden from view - including intuition, secrets and also society’s shadows and blind spots (such as prisons and other institutions that people may not be free to leave).
In astrology, the 12th house is the realm of the subconscious mind, dreams, and the unseen. It's also known as the "House of Unconscious” and rules anything hidden from view - including intuition, secrets and also society’s shadows and blind spots (such as prisons and other institutions that people may not be free to leave).
https://www.thecut.com/article/astrological-houses-zodiac-meaning.html
The Twelfth House is considered the “unseen realm.” This domain — the last House in the cycle — contains all things that exist without physical form (dreams, secrets, emotions … along with affairs, addictions, and psychological ailments). The Twelfth House is considered the most psychic, spiritual, and mysterious area of the birth chart, so those born with planets in this area are often highly intuitive individuals who encounter psychic and spiritual experiences.
The Twelfth House is considered the “unseen realm.” This domain — the last House in the cycle — contains all things that exist without physical form (dreams, secrets, emotions … along with affairs, addictions, and psychological ailments). The Twelfth House is considered the most psychic, spiritual, and mysterious area of the birth chart, so those born with planets in this area are often highly intuitive individuals who encounter psychic and spiritual experiences.
https://rdjyotish.com/12-houses-in-vedic-astrology/
Adar: what’s in a name?
https://jewishlink.news/the-meanings-of-our-month-names/
https://jewishlink.news/the-meanings-of-our-month-names/
Cohen writes in “The Cultic Calendars of the Ancient Near East” (1993):
“It is unclear whether the name Addaru is of Semitic origin, presumably a cognate of the Akkadian verbs adaru A (“to be worried,” “to become obscured…)” or adaru B (“to be afraid”) or whether the month name is an Elamite or foreign word.” Klein mentions the suggestions “month of the threshing floor” and “dark or clouded month.”
“It is unclear whether the name Addaru is of Semitic origin, presumably a cognate of the Akkadian verbs adaru A (“to be worried,” “to become obscured…)” or adaru B (“to be afraid”) or whether the month name is an Elamite or foreign word.” Klein mentions the suggestions “month of the threshing floor” and “dark or clouded month.”
א-דר the א resides
(ד) מִקֹּל֨וֹת ׀ מַ֤יִם רַבִּ֗ים אַדִּירִ֣ים מִשְׁבְּרֵי־יָ֑ם אַדִּ֖יר בַּמָּר֣וֹם ה׳׃
(4) Above the thunder of the mighty waters, more majesticadirim than the breakers of the sea is the LORD, majesticadir on high.
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֵלִיָּ֗הוּ וַיָּ֤לֶט פָּנָיו֙ בְּאַדַּרְתּ֔וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֕א וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד פֶּ֣תַח הַמְּעָרָ֑ה וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ ק֔וֹל וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מַה־לְּךָ֥ פֹ֖ה אֵֽלִיָּֽהוּ׃
And when Eliyyahu heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle aderet, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice to him, and said, What art thou doing here, Eliyyahu?
(כה) וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ אַדְמוֹנִ֔י כֻּלּ֖וֹ כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת שֵׂעָ֑ר וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ שְׁמ֖וֹ עֵשָֽׂו׃
(25) The first one emerged red, like a hairy mantle all over; so they named him Esau.*Esau Synonym of “Seir,” play on Heb. se‘ar “hair.”
Rabbi Dovber Pinson - The Month of Adar: Transformation Through Laughter and Holy Doubt
Adar is connected to the word aderet, which means a cloak, clothing or covering. Our garments give us a sense of certainty and identity. Even while they ‘conceal’ the body, they ‘reveal’ something about our self-definition.
In the Purim story, the characters frequently change their clothing. Our celebration of Purim includes shedding the external clothes thar we accumulated in the winter, and playfully altering our identity. Dressing up in costumes on Purim involves letting go of inhibitions and projections that have concealed us, and donning garments that surprisingly reveal an aspect of who we really are. We become ‘lighter’ and more fluid with our garments and our self-definition. We become childlike, free of the form and accumulated conditioning that we have carried.
רד״א - Radla: the Unknowable
As this month includes the opposite qualities of rooted strength and fluid transience, openness and lightness, it is clear that Adar is connected to a reality that is beyond both. Indeed, this reality is even beyond definition and knowability.
This is represented by the fact that Adar אדר is an acronym [backwards] for reisha d’lo ityada רד״א - ‘the Unknowable Head’ or ‘the head that does not know,’ usually called by its acronym Radla. This refers to the deepest level within the Divine Self, so to speak … Although inexpressible, for our purposes, Radla can be thought of as Divine doubt, a place where all is possible, for nothing is yet defined.
from The Month of Adar: Transformation Through Laughter and Holy Doubt
As this month includes the opposite qualities of rooted strength and fluid transience, openness and lightness, it is clear that Adar is connected to a reality that is beyond both. Indeed, this reality is even beyond definition and knowability.
This is represented by the fact that Adar אדר is an acronym [backwards] for reisha d’lo ityada רד״א - ‘the Unknowable Head’ or ‘the head that does not know,’ usually called by its acronym Radla. This refers to the deepest level within the Divine Self, so to speak … Although inexpressible, for our purposes, Radla can be thought of as Divine doubt, a place where all is possible, for nothing is yet defined.
from The Month of Adar: Transformation Through Laughter and Holy Doubt
Laughter and the Spleen
https://www.aldebaranhealing.co.nz/articles/the-spleen-in-chinese-medicine
https://www.aldebaranhealing.co.nz/articles/the-spleen-in-chinese-medicine
The spleen is in charge of allowing the body to taste the primary five tastes: bitter, sweet, pungent/spicy, salty and sour. The spleen also has an important role in producing and nourishing the blood, converting the nutrients we eat into healthy functioning blood. …
The spleen is also correlated with the times of year when there is equal day and night, particularly the autumnal equinox but also the spring equinox. During this time of year, 2 weeks either side of the equinox, there is a natural momentum and dynamic in the cosmos for change. This is often why we have the phrase ‘spring clean’, to describe the movement toward creating order and cleanliness after the dying and decaying process in the winter months and to invite into our beings the newness of spring. …
The fleshy aspect of our body is governed by the spleen. When we are first born there is an innate need of our baby self to feel the presence of our primary care giver(s), often the mother, to have skin-skin touch, to be held and to be in relational contact. This is a mammalian experience of physically being in touch in order to feel safe on earth, safe in our body. Our Spleen functioning is strongly influenced by this early experience of infant care and nourishment. …
The spleen spirit (soul) aspect is described as Yì.
Yì is often understood as an intent, an idea, one’s predisposition of thought or way of thinking. It relates to one’s awareness, one’s perception which forms the basis of thought. The yì is considered to be closely related to the will, or zhì(志), which is the spirit aspect of the kidney. The intent is required for the will to manifest. ...
When the mind is in constant rumination, perhaps feels constantly worried or anxious, or has continuous thoughts which have a paranoid, or delusional quality, this is often an indication the spleen and earth element is undernourished, and does not feel supported. …
Yì is often understood as an intent, an idea, one’s predisposition of thought or way of thinking. It relates to one’s awareness, one’s perception which forms the basis of thought. The yì is considered to be closely related to the will, or zhì(志), which is the spirit aspect of the kidney. The intent is required for the will to manifest. ...
When the mind is in constant rumination, perhaps feels constantly worried or anxious, or has continuous thoughts which have a paranoid, or delusional quality, this is often an indication the spleen and earth element is undernourished, and does not feel supported. …
Some of the ways we can nurture and take care of our spleen can include: taking breaks from sustained mental thought, or over-thinking and worry due to work, study, or relationship challenges, eating regular and well balanced meals, slowing down to eat, asking ourselves when we feel stressed ‘what do I need right now in this moment?’, connecting to mother earth, creatures and plant life… feeling our bodies through touch, grounded movement… et al.
Melinda Ribner on joy:
Joy is not trivial. It is actually a powerful spiritual weapon. The joy of Adar defeats sadness, depression, jealousy and anger. (From Living in the Divine Flow: Monthly Spiritual Gifts and Blessings)
Joy is not trivial. It is actually a powerful spiritual weapon. The joy of Adar defeats sadness, depression, jealousy and anger. (From Living in the Divine Flow: Monthly Spiritual Gifts and Blessings)
The joy of this month comes from embracing the materiality, the mundaneness, the physicality of the world and experiencing its inner divinity. When we can see that the physical and the spiritual dimensions are separate but also together, we are filled with joy and laughter. (From Kabbalah Month by Month)
Make time for yourself.
One simply needs to make a commitment to do activities that bring joy into one’s life. Make a list of at least five activities and experiences that are joyful to you. Make a plan and commit to do at least two of these things this month and two other things in the next few months. It is important to give yourself permission to be joyful. When you are joyful, you are aligned with Divine Will, so let go of any thoughts you may have that you are wasting time by enjoying yourself.(From Living in the Divine Flow: Monthly Spiritual Gifts and Blessings)
One simply needs to make a commitment to do activities that bring joy into one’s life. Make a list of at least five activities and experiences that are joyful to you. Make a plan and commit to do at least two of these things this month and two other things in the next few months. It is important to give yourself permission to be joyful. When you are joyful, you are aligned with Divine Will, so let go of any thoughts you may have that you are wasting time by enjoying yourself.(From Living in the Divine Flow: Monthly Spiritual Gifts and Blessings)
שחוק - חוש-ק
Laughter = the sense of ק
The letter Kuf (the monkey)
Laughter = the sense of ק
The letter Kuf (the monkey)
(א) וְהָ֣אָדָ֔ם יָדַ֖ע אֶת־חַוָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וַתַּ֙הַר֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶד אֶת־קַ֔יִן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר קָנִ֥יתִי אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־ה׳׃(ב) וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת אֶת־אָחִ֖יו אֶת־הָ֑בֶל וַֽיְהִי־הֶ֙בֶל֙ רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן וְקַ֕יִן הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה׃
(1) Now the Human knew*knew Heb. yada‘, often in a sexual sense. his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain / Kayin / קַ֔יִן, saying, “I have created [kaniti] a human with the help of Or “as did”; precise force of Heb. ’et uncertain the LORD. 2) She then bore his brother Abel / Hevel / הֶ֙בֶל֙.
Abel became a keeper of sheep, and Cain became a tiller of the soil.
hey ק ה kuf
On the surface laughter may look like the kind of lightheaded, air-like, and almost frivolous characteristic one would more readily expect from an ‘ungrounded’ Hevel. However, there is a laughter of Hevel and there is a laughter of Kayin. It is true that when our laugher is ‘of Hevel’ it is empty, detached, not rooted in the sacredness of life, and thus not transformative; rather it leads ultimately to cynicism and depression. When our laughter is ‘of Kayin,’ on the other hand, it comes from deep within a rooted, grounded state. This laughter can release us from conventional form, helping us break free from our fixed definitions of reality, our rigid identities and rote patterns of mindless living. Kayin’s is a laughter of paradox – simultaneously rooted and free, expressing both certainty and doubt, both kedushah and kof, monkeying around. …
On the surface laughter may look like the kind of lightheaded, air-like, and almost frivolous characteristic one would more readily expect from an ‘ungrounded’ Hevel. However, there is a laughter of Hevel and there is a laughter of Kayin. It is true that when our laugher is ‘of Hevel’ it is empty, detached, not rooted in the sacredness of life, and thus not transformative; rather it leads ultimately to cynicism and depression. When our laughter is ‘of Kayin,’ on the other hand, it comes from deep within a rooted, grounded state. This laughter can release us from conventional form, helping us break free from our fixed definitions of reality, our rigid identities and rote patterns of mindless living. Kayin’s is a laughter of paradox – simultaneously rooted and free, expressing both certainty and doubt, both kedushah and kof, monkeying around. …
Rooted laughter thus strikes a balance between the groundedness of Kayin and the ethereal, wind-like quality of Hevel… This is the deeper work of Adar: the paradoxical fusion of laughter, humor and drinking, with grounded kedusha, dedication, meaning and discernment.
From R Dovber Pinson:The Month of Adar: Transformation Through Laughter and Holy Doubt
Monkeys are said to be the animal most like human beings and they are great imitators. Monkeys imitate humans and humans imitate God. This letter representing the monkey reminds us that reality is not what it appears to be.
From Kabbalah Month by Month, by Melinda Ribner
From Kabbalah Month by Month, by Melinda Ribner
Rabbi Peleh Ezrahi: Chagigah
On Purim we descend to our monkey-nature. This is the inner meaning of the letter kuf, whose form goes beneath the line. On Purim we get a little sly, a little deceitful: we pretend to be something we are not, and we give ourselves permission to speak our unspoken truths through disguise, a kind of falsehood. This allows Purim to be the most serious and least serious of holidays, all at once.
The month of Adar is the time for healing our sense of humour - for without humour a person cannot understand the secrets of existence.
The Maharal of Prague taught that Purim is a day of return or regression to our inner childhood. The soul repair that is possible on Purim is felt through renewed contact with the simplicity, the joy and the playfulness of childhood…
If we accept the idea that the origin of the Homo sapiens is among the primates, the monkeys, then returning to ‘monkey behaviour’ is thus a type of returning to inner childhood on a species level. In the course of Purim there is a sort of returning to the fundamental roots of human-ness… which allows a “sweetening of the judgments at their root.”
