The name of this week’s parsha, Mishpatim (laws), can tell us what this parsha is about. It is filled with many laws about justice towards our fellow man. That being said, I do not believe in coincidences and this Shabbat isn’t only Parshat Mishpatim. This Shabbat is also Rosh Chodesh Adar 1. When Adar comes, the Gemara teaches that we will increase in our happiness, but how do these two things connect? How can happiness connect to laws?

In a later parsha, we are told צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף (justice, justice, run after it) which expresses that we should go and pursue justice. Just like in Parshat Mishpatim, we are told what to do in many different scenarios regarding objects, people or other things being damaged. We are told how to act and what the consequences are.

While laws can seem like a burden at times and it may be hard to receive consequences, bringing justice into the world brings happiness. When people see justice and see truth, they can see Hashem. They can see that someone is watching out for them. This is the same with the Purim story. It may not have mentioned Hashem’s name, but watching justice being done to Haman and his family was enough to realize Hashem’s hand. When we enter Adar, we are entering a time where laws, consequences and truth come into effect. We are entering a time where we see Hashem and through that, we can gain happiness. May we all enter Adar with truth, justice, happiness and seeing Hashem!