The Children (Part III): Dovid and Tzivos Hashem

00:00 The in reference and continuation to the earlier installments regarding Tzivas Hashem, the army of Hashem, we continue now with installment number three, discussing the title of the campaign as it originated with Return the Hearts of Fathers Through Children. On a personal note, it is interesting to mention that when initiating this campaign, the Rebbe created and began grooming this army of children, Tzivas Hashem. In the following months and years, when attending the children rallies which took place during the Yomim Tovim seasons and or auspicious days, the Rebbe would address the children and share with them insights on the Yomim Tovim or the unique days and the lessons they can learn and internalize in themselves as soldiers in Hashem's army. The Rebbe would pause for a few moments between one segment and a second of the talk in order that Rabbi JJ Hect would translate the Rebbe's words for the children in English. At every rally, the Rebbe invested countless hours of his unique tight schedule to address the children. In this installment, we will cite the Rebbe's words about the children during a farbrengen of Shvuos Tov Shin Mem 1980. In one of the Sichas talks during this farbrengen, the Rebbe said as follows, as it is translated here by Sichas in English, "Dovid HaMelech shares an intrinsic connection with Jewish children. The king is responsible for providing for the needs of all his countrymen. This is particularly true in regards to children. An adult must work. The verse declares, 'And He, Hashem, will bless you

02:19 in all that you do,' implying that in order to merit Hashem's blessing, one must do something. However, children need not work. Their parents provide for all their needs. For this reason, adults are unable to attain the level of Torah say, um, no say, his profession is Torah, for they must involve themselves in earning a livelihood. However, children are not faced with these difficulties and can reach these heights. Similarly, the king must pay special attention to the children's needs. Although in general, the king derives material benefit from the people he supports, for example, his army and his ministers, from the children he derives no material benefit. The only thing they contribute to him is their Torah and mitzvahs. The above particularly applies to Dovid. Since the children of his age reached such high levels in Torah study, it is understandable that he took generous care of their needs. On one hand, it is unthinkable for us to approach Dovid's level. Nevertheless, we can learn, learn a lesson from his behavior. This is particularly true since we recite in our prayers, Dovid, the Melech Yisroel lives and exists. Dovid continues to live as the Melech Yisroel and provides for all the needs of Am Yisroel, particularly those of the children. On Shavuot, all of the above receives a special emphasis. Shavuot Dovid's yahrtzeit is the day on which all the work that a person accomplished in his lifetime is revealed and shines from above to below, bringing about salvation in the depth of the heart." This is

04:27 a quote from the Alter Rebbe in Igrot Hakodesh, the fourth section of Tanya, chapter twenty-seven, explaining what takes place on the day of the passing of a tzadik. The Rebbe continues, "Even in the midst of the darkness of Galus," referring to the Kerev Ha'Eretz, which is used in regards to Eretz Mitzrayim, the Rebbe implies in a spiritual sense, even in the midst of the darkness of Galus, "it lies upon us to bring these qualities out from a hidden to a revealed state. In practical terms, this means we must work to ensure that every child will be permeated with Torah till they reach the level attained by Dovid, which he said, 'Of my heart is hollow within me,' quote, unquote, meaning he had no yetzer hara. This is accomplished by battling the yetzer hara. This is connected with Dovid HaMelech, who shed much blood fighting against the enemies of Yiddishkeit." To summarize the above, the Rebbe begins concluding the Sicha, "We must devote ourselves in an unlimited manner to the task of educating Jewish children. Just as in the exile of Egypt, the Am Yisroel raised Tzivas Hashem, the army of Hashem, similarly, at present, we must raise the Tzivas Hashem which will follow Mashiach. In the Messianic Age, the world will reach an ultimate level of fulfillment. Peace and plenty will be in his day. There will be no more wars, and I will destroy the beasts of prey. This will be accomplished through the efforts of young children. As the Navi declares, 'A wolf

06:27 will dwell with the lamb, and a little child shall lead them.'" We will im yirtza Hashem continue in the next installment.