The Children (Part II): Tzivos Hashem

00:00 The Hamshacha continuation to the earlier installment regarding the campaign that the Rebbe initiated on Erev Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5740, 1980, entitled Return the Hearts of Fathers Through Children. We continue now with installment number two. On Rosh Chodesh Nisan, the next day, the Rebbe addressed a rally of children. The Rebbe asked that the children should sing the Nigun Yeshias Amecha, and then they recited the twelve verses, the Yud Beis Pesukim from Torah and Ma'amarei Chazal. We'll cite what the Rebbe said to the children as it is translated by Sichos in English. Our sages tell us that in every generation and every day, as the Alter Rebbe adds in Tanya, a person must look upon himself as he-- if he personally had gone out from Egypt today. Wh-when viewing ourselves as being part of the Exodus, we must ask ourselves, how did Yetzias Mitzrayim come about? What did the Yidden do to prepare for and deserve the redemption? On Rosh Chodesh Nisan, Hashem commanded the Yidden to begin preparing to go out of Mitzrayim, to take upon themselves the fulfillment of Hashem's mitzvahs, even while still in Mitzrayim, and especially the commandment of the Pascal sacrifice. In preparing for the redemption, the children played a special role. They carried out all the commandments, and specifically the commandment of the Korban Pesach, with even more warmth and feeling than the adults. After the Yidden left Mitzrayim, when Hashem split the Red Sea and revealed himself to them on the seventh day of Pesach, the children were the first

02:11 to recognize him. Their recognition was even greater and more powerful than that of the adults. Why did they merit to recognize Hashem first? Because in Egypt, they excelled in preparation for the redemption, accepting Hashem's commandments and eagerly fulfilling them. Since we are required to picture that today we have gone out from Egypt, we must resolve that beginning today, Rosh Chodesh Nisan, we will follow the example of our ancestors and prepare for the Pesach holiday as they did. Children today should do this with the same warmth and strength that they showed at that time, so that very soon when Mashiach comes, they will again be the first to recognize Hashem. What is the practical lesson Jewish children should follow in order to prepare themselves for Pesach? Today and in the following days, every boy and girl should approach his or her parents and with the proper respect, request of them to take upon themselves the fulfillment of Hashem's commandments, to prepare themselves for Pesach and carry out all the commandments connected with searching out, destroying, and selling the chametz. They should try to make the Yom Tov a kosher and a happy one, beginning with the Seder on the first night. Each child should also request of his parents that they encourage their friends to do the same. In addition to encouraging their parents, children must do their share in preparing for Pesach by studying the laws of Pesach and the Ma Nishtana, so that at the Seder, they will be able to ask the questions

04:15 and listen to their father's reply. Also, they should promise to help their parents in the preparation for Pesach. Children should also encourage their friends to do likewise in the spirit of V'ahavta L'reyacha Kamocha, love your fellow man as yourself. By doing all the above, children will make this Pesach a more kosher and happier festival than ever before, and they will feel the Pesach spirit throughout the year. The Rebbe continues, the Torah tells us that another special event which took place on Rosh Chodesh Nisan is that on this day, the Mishkan, the sanctuary, was erected. The Torah relates that when the Mishkan was erected, the leaders of the tribes, the Shvatim, offered special Korbanot, each leader on a different day. On the first day, which was Rosh Chodesh Nisan, Nachshon Ben Aminadav, the leader of the tribe of Yehuda, offered his contribution. Nachshon taught a very important lesson to the Yidden. After they left Egypt, the Mitzriim pursued them. They caught up to them and surrounded them while they were camped before the Yam Suf, the Red Sea. Many of the Yidden were frightened. However, Nachshon was not afraid. When he heard that Hashem had commanded the Yidden to journey onward, he jumped into the sea, and then the sea split. Thus, Nachshon showed the Yidden that they need never be afraid as long as they follow Hashem's will. Today, Rishketish Nisan, we must resolve to follow Nachshon's example. Although we are in Golus and there may be difficulties that prevent us from performing Hashem's will,

06:17 we must overcome them. From Rishketish on, we must begin to prepare for the redemption. We do so despite the difficulties in our path. We must prepare to bring a Korban Pesach, which in a spiritual sense is to sacrifice those things that Hashem wants us to make holy. By doing so, we will merit to eat and receive benefit from that sacrifice. For Hashem will provide us with all that we need for our well-being, both physically and spiritually. By conducting themselves in this way, Jewish children will become part of Hashem's army. Just to add a comment that it seems like this was already the formation of the title with which the Rebbe referred to the children in the campaign of Tzivei Hashem, Hashem's army. And the Rebbe continues, and the children will enlist their parents in this army as it is written, and he will return the hearts of fathers through the sons. By doing our part in fulfilling the Torah, we will greet Mashiach with our children leading the way. Mashiach will take each and every Yid out of Golus, bringing about Shleimus Ha'am, a complete Am Yisrael. Not one Yid will remain in Golus, and he will lead us to the Holy Land, thus bringing about Shleimus Ha'aretz. This will bring the true and complete redemption led by Mashiach speedily in our days. The Rebbe mentioned that there are Tznocha Pushkes available so that the children could make their gifts immediately. The Rebbe gave each boy and afterwards each girl a dime to give to

08:21 Tznocha. We will continue, Imirt Hashem, in the next installment.