How to Truly Increase Joy in Adar: Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s Practical Guidance

Each of us longs to experience genuine joy, especially when we are commanded to do so, such as on Purim, when the service of joy is doubled and redoubled. It seems that on Purim, the verse “Greater is one who is commanded and fulfills than one who is not commanded and fulfills” takes on an entirely new force, since “When Adar enters, we increase joy.”

Joy Is Not the Push of a Button

According to Rav Chaim Kanievsky, this is not a joy that can be achieved by simply “pressing a button,” because a person cannot just decide to be joyful for no reason.

In the journal Divrei Siach , where his sacred words are recorded, it is noted that Rav Chaim would often say that the Sages’ instruction to increase joy from the beginning of Adar is not a trivial matter.

How to Cultivate Real Joy in Adar

According to Rav Chaim, in order to attain true joy, it is beneficial to drink a small amount of wine each day throughout the month of Adar. This helps uplift the soul and attune it to the special capacity for joy embedded in this month. He added that even someone who is scheduled to stand trial against a non-Jew should follow this practice, as its benefit is especially great.

Divrei Siach relates that for many years Rav Chaim Kanievsky himself maintained this custom and would drink a small amount of wine every day during Adar.

For women who are not accustomed to drinking wine and do not find it uplifting, Rav Chaim suggested that they can gladden themselves with beautiful clothing, jewelry, or anything else that lifts their spirits and brings them joy.

A Personal Anecdote from His Daughter’s Childhood

A charming anecdote connected to this teaching tells of an incident from Rav Chaim’s daughter’s childhood. As a young girl, she asked her father to give her two very short halachot to learn each day, because she had heard the saying: “Anyone who studies halachot every day is guaranteed a share in the World to Come,” and she wanted to secure her place.