7 Ways to Increase Your Joy in Adar

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The Gemara (Ta’anit 29b) tells us מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה – when the month of Adar begins, one increases rejoicing. But what does that really mean?

Rav Avigdor Miller¹ explains that “marbin” means we need to actively do something to increase our joy, to “raise the dose” of happiness. In other words, if we want to increase our simcha, we have to make it happen ourselves. It doesn’t just come naturally; it requires effort. But how can we do that?

In this article, we’ll explore seven ways, based on Rav Avigdor Miller’s teachings, to actively increase our happiness.

Find Joy in the Little Things

It’s important to understand that joy isn’t just one big thing—it’s made up of countless small moments, experiences, and details that we often overlook. Rav Miller teaches that we must actively work on cultivating the habit of finding joy in these details. Happiness doesn’t come automatically; it happens when we take the time to truly appreciate each experience on its own. He uses the example of the wind—something many people take for granted. But when you start to really notice and appreciate it—the feeling of the wind on your skin, its sound, or the refreshing change it brings—you can find a profound sense of joy. This concept can be applied to any aspect of nature.

Embrace the Free Joys of Nature

Building on the first point, one of the most beautiful things about nature is that the joys it brings are completely free. We don’t have to spend money to enjoy the breeze on a sunny day, the rustling of the leaves, or the fresh air in our lungs. Rav Miller highlights this idea by showing us that happiness doesn’t need to come from expensive experiences or material things; it can come from the simple, everyday wonders of nature that surround us all the time.

Appreciate That Which You Take For Granted

How often do we really stop to appreciate something as basic as breathing? Rav Avigdor Miller teaches that happiness can be found in the most fundamental things we overlook every day. Take breathing, for example. It’s something we do automatically, without giving it much thought. Yet, if you were to hold your breath for just a few seconds and then experience that first deep inhale, you’d realize how amazing it truly is. That simple breath of air feels like a burst of joy, yet it’s something we’ve been taking for granted all along.

Value the Wonders of Your Body

Building on the previous point, the next way to cultivate happiness is by appreciating the incredible wonders of our bodies and their processes. Rav Avigdor Miller gives the example of sleep. Sleep isn’t just a break from our day—it’s a wonder in itself. While we rest, our body works tirelessly to repair and refresh itself, from rejuvenating our organs to resetting our mind. When we wake up after a good night’s sleep, it feels like we’ve been transformed, ready to face the world with renewed energy and perspective.

Happiness is not something we have to force or chase—it’s actually our natural state. Everything around us, from the smallest details to the grandest aspects of nature, was created to bring us joy. The world is designed to stimulate happiness, and even something as simple as looking at a tree can naturally evoke feelings of joy. The problem is that often, we become so wrapped up in our own minds or stubbornness that we fail to notice these everyday sources of happiness.

Know That Money Can’t Compare to Good Health

This next point follows on from the former. One of the greatest sources of happiness is realizing that good health far outweighs the value of money. No amount of wealth can compare to the joy of being well. A person who trains themselves to appreciate the habit of happiness understands this deeply. Rav Miller asks us to imagine someone walking down the street who might have just lost their job, has no money, and is even facing a difficult conversation at home. Despite all of this, they’re still walking with a smile. Why? Because their body is functioning— their liver is working, their heart is beating, and their kidneys are keeping their blood clean. They understand how many miracles are happening in their body every moment, and they realize how fortunate they are to have good health. This perspective helps them maintain happiness, no matter what challenges they face.

Realize that Happiness is (or Should Be) Your Natural State

See the Comforts You’ve Grown Used To

Building on the previous point, why do we sometimes fail to appreciate the simple things we have? The reason we often overlook what’s in front of us is because we’ve grown accustomed to it. We take things for granted, assuming they’ll always be there, but there was once a time when these conveniences weren’t available. Rav Miller explains that when he was growing up in Europe, using the bathroom in the winter meant putting on boots, trudging through the snow, and crouching over a hole. Yet today, we have bathrooms with running water, hot water, cold water, and even the option to mix them to our perfect temperature. We need to not lose sight of the luxury of these modern conveniences.

Rav Miller explains that as we consistently find happiness in the little things, we gradually develop an optimistic attitude. By focusing on and appreciating each of these phenomena, one by one, they add up to a greater sense of happiness in our lives. The more aspects of life we learn to enjoy, the more happiness we’ll experience on a daily basis.

On a practical level, a good way to achieve this is by choosing one aspect of happiness to focus on each day. Rav Miller suggests saying to ourselves, “I will study the happiness in one detail every morning, and as many times as possible throughout the day, I will make it my business to enjoy that part of life.” We can also keep track of these happiness moments in a notebook and review them every Shabbos.

If we practice the concept of מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה—increasing our rejoicing—during Adar, we will develop the habit of happiness. This habit won’t just last for the month of Adar, but will carry us through the rest of the year and throughout our lives.