Hashgachah Pratis in the Sefarim Hakedoshim
Excerpts from the popular shiur by Harav Hatzaddik R’ Beirish Shneebalg shlit”a
Adar – a Time for Spiritual Investment
Chazal tell us (Beitzah 15b), “If someone wants his land to retain its value, he should plant adar trees [sometimes translated as maple trees] on it.”
There are those who explain that “adar” is not to be understood literally, but rather that it is referring to the month of Adar. According to this, we can explain that land refers to spiritual acquisitions, and he who wants to retain his spiritual possessions should “plant them Adar,” meaning that he should invest a lot into the month of Adar.
It’s important to understand the uniqueness of Adar. How does it have the power to safeguard our possessions?
The month of Adar comes at the end of all the winter months. Throughout the winter we worked on ourselves spiritually very hard, especially during the weeks of shovavim. Following a period of spiritual investment, we always get a “gift” from Shamayim. We can utilize the gift for ruchniyus and can thus attain a higher level of ruchniyus, or we can utilize it for gashmiyus and enjoy physical things.
It is preferable to utilize the gift for spiritual matters; that is more worthwhile. It’s an eternal acquisition, and it’s worthwhile safeguarding it for a long time. This is the meaning of the words, “Someone who wants it to retain its value should plant in Adar” – that now, in the month of Adar, according to our deeds we are determining whether Hashem’s gift will be spiritual or physical.
When we finish working on a project, we receive payment for all the work. We can use the money we receive for only beneficial and necessary things, and we can also waste the money on nonsense.
We should take advantage of the days of the month of Adar – not waste the time or busy ourselves with nonsense.
May Hashem help us to be able to truly rejoice with the joy of a mitzvah, so that it will be good for us forever.
Hashem Tzevakos Imanu – The L-rd of Hosts Is with Us
Rav Chizkiya said in the name of Rav Yaakov bar Acha, who said in the name of Rav Yasa, who said in the name of Rav Yochanan: This passuk should never leave a person’s mouth. Don’t stop saying this passuk: “The L-rd of Hosts is with us; the G-d of Yaakov is an eternal Fortress for us” (Tehillim 46:8).
Rav Yosi ben Rav Avos said in the name of Rav Avahu, who said in the name of Rav Yochanan: And don’t stop saying the similar passuk: “L-rd of Hosts, fortunate is the man who trusts in You!” (Tehillim 84:13).
(Yerushalmi, Brachos 84a)
