Imagine a world where Hashem is completely revealed, where His presence is undeniable, and every action we take is in full awareness of His existence.

Sounds amazing, right? But that’s not the world we live in.

We live in a world where Hashem is hidden. A world where we have to search for Him. And at first glance, that might seem like a weakness, like we are on a lower level. But the truth is, it’s the greatest opportunity we have.

The Purpose of Being Here

Before we are born, our neshamas are with Hashem, basking in the most revealed presence of the Divine. There is no confusion, no doubt, no struggle. But then, Hashem places us into physical bodies, into a world where He is concealed.

This isn’t a punishment. It’s the greatest gift.

Hashem created us as spiritual beings inside physical, animal-like bodies. And that means we have two paths before us. We can live by instinct, by desire, by whatever pulls us in the moment. Or, we can rise above, refine ourselves, and choose to be like malachim (angels) here on earth.

And that choice? That’s everything.

Because when we choose, when we fight, when we overcome… we become something greater than we were before.

Earning Our Light

This is the story of Moshe Rabbeinu in this week’s parsha.

When Moshe ascended Har Sinai, Hashem gave him the first set of Luchot. A direct gift from Heaven, a perfect revelation of Hashem’s Torah.

But when he came down and saw the sin of the Golden Calf, he shattered them.

And then, something incredible happened.

Hashem told Moshe:
“P’sal lecha shnei luchot avanim” – Carve out for yourself two new tablets.

This time, Moshe had to create them. Moshe had to put in the work.

And what was the result?

When Moshe came down the second time, his face was shining.

Why? Because the second Luchot—the ones that were worked for—held a greater light than the first.

A light that comes from effort. A light that comes from struggle. A light that we reveal in this world.

The Power of Hiddenness

The month of Adar is all about this idea.

It’s the month of hester panim—where Hashem’s presence is hidden in the world.

But it’s also the month of simcha—because the greatest joy comes not from seeing Hashem revealed, but from finding Him in the hidden places.

From searching for Him in our daily lives.

From choosing to live with emunah even when things aren’t clear.

From realizing that Ein Od Milvado—there is nothing but Hashem, even in the moments when He seems far away.

That’s the secret of Adar.

That’s the secret of Purim.

And that’s the secret of life.

The greatest revelation is not when Hashem is given to us on a silver platter.
It’s when we search, we work, and we reveal Hashem in our own lives.

That’s what makes our light shine.

And that’s what makes all the struggle worth it.