The Month of Adar and the Clarification of Esau

by Gal Einei : Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

The root Adar appears five times in the Torah. The rule is that the first appearance of a root in the Torah is the most important and expressive of all. The first appearance of the root “Adar” in the Torah is in Genesis 25:25, refers to the birth of Esau: “And the first one emerged ruddy, completely like a cape of hair (Aderet [root of Adar] se’ar), and they called his name Esau.” This is the root of Adar in the Torah, aderet se’ar. The Torah refers to only two people as red-complexioned: Esau and King David. From this we learn that King David, the King Mashiach, comes to rectify the red-complexioned Esau. 

In Hebrew, the word for “red” is adom, cognate to Adam. There is something red in the essence of man. Adam is also cognate to adamah (earth). Apparently, the archetypical earth is red clay. The word admoni (אדמוני) used to describe the red-complexioned Esau has the numerical value of 111, which is the same numerical value as the word פלא (wonder( and אפל (dark). In the personality of man, we have an illuminated side and a dark side. (This is the secret of “according to the will of איש ואיש(this man and that man)” in the Scroll of Esther. In the redemption, the verse “איש ואיש (this man and that man) will be born in it”[1] will be fulfilled. The average value of איש ואיש is Mordechai Hayehudi (the hero – along with Queen Esther) of the Scroll of Esther. His illuminated side is white, while the dark side is red. There is something red in the dark side. 

Every person has their Jacob and their Esau, who are also their Mordechai and Haman. The illuminated side is Jacob and Mordechai. The dark side is full of potential. Who sensed Esau’s potential? His father, Isaac. Hence “And Isaac loved Esau, for “there was hunting in his mouth.”[2] Esau hunted him with his words. In the Torah portion of Mishpatim it says, “And he did not hunt, and God brought it to his hand and I will appoint for you a place to where he can flee.”[3] Rashi on this verse provides us with a lengthy analysis of the root of the word צדה (hunt) and concludes that the meaning is like an ambush. Apparently, each of the sides of a person’s personality – the illuminated side and the dark side – lie in ambush for each other. 

Esau is full of potential. It is impossible to bring the redemption without him. The Lubavitcher Rebbe said that in our generation, Esau is ready – the dark side is ready for “the advantage of light over darkness.” In potential, he has more light than the original light. 

Why is the month of Adar connected to the dark side? First, Haman was happy that the lot fell on the month of Adar. The sages say that he was happy because he knew that Moses had died in the month of Adar. In general, though, there is something about Adar that is a dark month, the month of Esau, who was born like an aderet (Adar) cape of hair. 

The holiday of the month of Adar is Purim, the month in which everything is transformed. On Purim we eat and drink until we don’t know the difference between “cursed is Haman” (the dark side) and “blessed is Mordechai” (the illuminated side). On Purim, we have to reach a state in which we cannot differentiate between the dark side and the illuminated side, a state in which all seems the same; one simple unified state. 

The first appearance of Adar in the Torah in connection with a garment (cape) shows the connection of this month to garments and the world of garments. It is customary to wear a costume on Purim. This Purim, we can wear the cape of Esau and transform it into the cape of Elijah the Prophet. Esau means “completed” and indeed, Esau was born completed. The time has come for us to complete the clarification of Esau. The Lubavitcher Rebbe said that we have already completed the service of clarification. Everything is finished, everything is Esau (completed). 

[1] Psalms 87:5. 

[2] Genesis 25:28. 

[3] Exodus 21:13.

The World Today - February 2026 Pt 5

Strange events around the world, on the earth and in the skies.

Welcome Adar

Adar is a month with miraculous potential.  

It kicks off with the Annular Solar Eclipse which you can read about here, and will be followed by a Total Lunar Eclipse on Purim.  

The Arizal says that each month represents a part of a person's head. The month of Adar represents the "nose". 

Sweet smell, says the gemara Brachos [44b], gives pleasure not to the body but rather to the Neshama. 

The Bnei Yisaschar explains that when Adam and Chava ate from the Eitz HaDaas [Tree of Knowledge] they used all their senses for the aveira [sin] except their sense of smell. The pasuk says: she saw, she listened, she touched, and she tasted. But nowhere does it say that anyone smelled. Therefore the sense of smell has a certain purity that is unmatched by the other senses.

It is therefore appropriate that for the great Nes [miracle] that took place in the month of Adar, the month of smell, that both of the heroes of Purim, Mordechai and Esther had names referring to smell.

Mordechai's name says the gemara Chulin [139b] is hinted in the name of the fragrance used in the Ketores called Mor Dror or Mira-Dachya as translated by Unkelos. 

Esther's real name, the Megila tells us [2:7], was Hadassa - the sweet smelling myrtle tree. Since a person's name represents their true inner self, Mordechai and Esther with their lofty purity were able to avoid the pitfalls of Achashveirosh and his materialism during his party and even while living in his palace.

During the special month of Adar where these qualities reign supreme, these two pure tzaddikim saved Klal Yisroel from destruction.

Ikvot Moshiach: The Time Immediately Before Mashiach

Photo from Poland May 2025 - passing planet overhead
these stripes in the sky were also seen in New Jersey at 8am Feb 15 by a reader of this blog
Keep your head to the sky whenever possible

This is the world we live in.

Text by J. Immanuel Schochet

The time appointed by G‑d for the Messianic redemption is a closely guarded secret. Nonetheless, we are offered many hints to recognize its proximity: when certain conditions come about, await the imminent coming of Mashiach. 

Most of these conditions are quite disturbing, clearly displaying a situation of the very “bottom of the pit.” One major source describes the world-condition in those days as follows: increase in insolence and impudence; oppressing inflation; unbridled irresponsibility on the part of authorities; centers of learning will turn into bawdy houses; wars; many destitutes begging, with none to pity them; wisdom shall be putrid; the pious shall be despised; truth will be abandoned; the young will insult the old; family-breakup with mutual recriminations; impudent leadership.

Other sources add: lack of scholars; succession of troubles and evil decrees; famines; mutual denunciations; epidemics of terrible diseases; poverty and scarcity; cursing and blaspheming; international confrontations nations provoking and fighting each other. In short, it will be a time of suffering that will make it look as if G‑d were asleep. These are the birthpangs of Mashiach, bearable only in anticipation of the bliss that follows them. 

“When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him… when you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him.” “When you see nations fighting each other, look toward the feet of Mashiach.”

Little wonder that some sages expressed apprehensions about those days in terms of, “Let [Mashiach] come, but let me not see him.” The prevailing attitude, however, is to await his coming in spite of all, even if thereafter we shall merit no more than sitting “in the shadow of his donkey’s dung!” 

The troubles and agony of chevlei Mashiach [birthpangs of Mashiach], however, are not unavoidable: 

“What is man to do to be spared the pangs of Mashiach? Let him engage in Torah and acts of loving-kindness!” 

Moreover, there are also good and happy signs indicating the imminent coming of Mashiach: a good measure of prosperity; a renewal of Torah-study; and opening of the “gates of wisdom above and the wellsprings of wisdom below,” evidenced also by scientific and technological discoveries and advances; a manifestation and propagation of the mystical teachings of the Torah; and also “In the time that Mashiach will awaken, many signs and miracles will occur in the world.”

Source and Footnotes: click here

Shalom President Herzog

President Herzog's visit to Australia concluded yesterday, with his Melbourne visit, and another massive demonstration estimated to be around 30,000 people. Demonstrators marched down Swanston Street to Parliament, accusing Herzog of being a war criminal.

Source: 9News

It has been said by more than one journalist, that it is puzzling as to why Albanese actually agreed to the invitation in the first place, and Albo himself must be wondering how he got himself into this situation.  But ultimately, this is what Hashem wanted, and so President Herzog visited Australia, and this drove the anti-semites crazy and brought them out onto the streets.  In Sydney it was like a battle-royal which included police moving in on muslims who had decided to begin praying in the middle of a blocked off zone.  It seems like we have a civil war here: muslims and anti-semites vs the Silent Majority.

But the last word goes to President Herzog, and this is what he had to say about Australia and the anti-semitism that greeted him.

Prophecy and the Iran Showdown

Tamar Yonah interviews R' Doniel Stochel - click here for podcast

Prophecy and the Iran Showdown - The Tamar Yonah Show 

Four classical Jewish sources, spanning nearly two thousand years, foretell a cataclysmic war involving Persia (Iran) at the End of Days. These are not vague allusions. They are specific, detailed, and converging on the very geopolitical reality unfolding before our eyes. 

1. Pesikta Rabbati, Piska 36 “Rabbi Yitzchak said: The year in which the King Mashiach is revealed, all the kings of the nations will provoke one another. The King of Persia will provoke the King of Arabia…and the entire world will be thrown into panic and confusion.” 

2. Talmud Bavli, Yoma 10a The Gemara records a dispute regarding a prophesied war between Persia and Rome at the End of Days. One opinion holds that Persia will fall to Rome; the other holds that Rome will fall to Persia. The passage establishes that a decisive confrontation between these two civilizations must precede the arrival of Mashiach. 

3. Tosafot, Avodah Zarah 2b The succinct 7 line Tosafot o details how Edom will squash Persia. Their downfall clears the stage for Redemption as this final event precedes Mashiach’s imminent arrival 

4. Kli Paz — Rav Shmuel Laniado (1603–1657), Commentary on Isaiah 34:6 Writing over four hundred years ago, this great Mekubal of Aleppo identified “Bozrah” in Isaiah’s prophecy as the Hormuz.[Also see Hormuz and the Final War in the End of Days] He declared that a “great slaughter” (Iran) would take place there at the End of Days, and sealed his words with a blessing: “Happy is the one who understands this sign before the Redemption.” 

On this show, Tamar speaks with Reb Doniel Stochel, author of the upcoming book: 'THE FINAL REDEMPTION' as he takes us through prophetic sources of what we might expect, especially concerning Iran, and the Final Redemption. 

The Time Has Come

R' Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev lifted his pure eyes to Heaven and said: "Master of the World! You have exhorted us in Your Torah, "You shall not cause any pain to any widow or orphan." [Mishpatim 22:21]

We, Your nation Israel, are orphans, as the Navi laments: "We have become [like] orphans, and there is no father." [Eichah 5:3]

"I turn to You today, O Father in Heaven, and I beseech You to have mercy upon Your nation of orphans who are languishing in a bitter exile.  The time has come for You to take us from darkness into light!"

Source: Rabbi Yisrael Bronstein

American Politician: "Proof, A Catastrophic Event is Going to Take Place in The Middle East..."

H/t Sherry

Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein