Although we are already in the midst of the joyous month of Adar, many authorities posit that increasing simcha is an obligation throughout the entire month. How can we begin to manifest this heightened sense of simcha? The Sefer Nimukei Orach Chaim (to Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim Chapter 685) writes that
The Chofetz Chaim writes that there are only two Jewish festivals during the winter: Chanukah and Purim. At Chanukah, the enemies of the Jewish people tried to take away from us, G-d forbid, our holy Torah, which is our soul and spirit. At Purim they tried to destroy us physically, G-d forbid, by attacking our bodies. What was the result? We were victorious, and we retained
We are already in the midst of this joyous month, when many authorities maintain that increasing simcha is an obligation throughout the entire month. There is a discussion in the Achronim regarding leap years when there are two months of Adar, if this increased level of joy commences with the first day of Adar I... Read more » 
