A common word found in the gemara is אדרבה, which means “On the contrary” or “Just the opposite.” Let’s delve into this word. Unknown to many, this word is in essence an acronym. R' Yitzchok Lampronti (1679-1756) reveals that the word אדרבה is an acronym for אין דבר רק בהיפך, which translates into how we translate it, “Just the opposite.”
Another amazing insight we find linked to this word is connected to the month of Adar. Adar is termed חודש אשר נהפך, the month which had turned about. It therefore is no coincidence that when we break up the word אדרבה, we get אדר בה, Adar is in it. That is to say, the month of Adar has the quality of אדרבה, as it is a חודש אשר נהפך, a month of ונהפוך הוא (“It was turned about”).
Another word we find in the gemara is אשתקד, last year. This word is built on the words שתא קדמיתא, previous year (Otzar Hayedios, Volume 2, p. 238).
Pachad Yitzchak, Erech Adrabah.
Esther 9:22.
Esther 9:1.
