The gemora in Megilla tells us that in a leap year we celebrate Purim in the Adar which is closer to Pesach in order that one geula should be next to the other. Obviously, this isn’t just to bunch them together for convenience. There are many references throughout Chazal connecting Purim to Pesach. Let’s explore a few of them: In preparing for Pesach we clean out the chometz. This culminates on the 14th of Nissan with Bedikas Chometz, which is exactly one month after we started to learn the halachos of Pesach.

The Bnei Yisasschar (Adar Daled) discusses this idea and tells us that we are obligated to learn the halachos of Pesach starting from Purim. He explains that IY”H when moshiach will come Amalek will be obliterated on the 14th of Nisan. There are those who take it a step further, that the geula cannot be complete as long as there is just one drop of Amalek around. This reflects the idea of one crumb of chometz. We are all familiar with the Arizal who tells us that if one does not eat a morsel of chometz on Pesach, that year he would be free of sin. Yes, without Amalek who is compared to the chometz, we can be free of sin.

Some of us may feel sad that the “happy days” of Purim are behind us. Let us take hold of the situation and appreciate that we are in the midst of the time period of Purim moving towards Pesach—a time period that can be compared to “chol hamoed!” Rav Shamshon Refoel Hirsch tells us (quoting from Vayikra 23:9) “Purim is like Pesach, though Purim is the geula of galus, and Pesach is the geula from Mitzrayim.” Yes, we are moving from a geula of galus to a geula of cherus.

As we clean for Pesach, we should take joy in the fact that we are figuratively getting rid of the Amalek within our homes.

With Hashem’s help we will get there this year!