Hakhel - Part 2: 5692 (1931) / 5713 (1952)

00:01 This is Behemshach in continuation to the previous installment on the topic of Hakhel, where we discussed that upon the request of the previous Rebbe, the Rebbe farbrenged with Hasidim for the first time. This was the first occasion when Hasidim heard the Rebbe speak, and this left a very deep impression on them for many decades. The farbrengen continued for about eleven hours. After the farbrengen, the Rebbe wrote up in brief the entire eleven-hour farbrengen with many references. After Gimel Tammuz, Taf Shin Nun Dalet, nineteen ninety-four, this reshimah manuscript was published as a kevetz, a booklet which extends over eighty pages. The major topic which the Rebbe discussed at length this evening was Hakhel. Since it was a year when the mitzvah of Hakhel, the gathering of Yidden, would take place in the Beis Hamikdash, the Rebbe elaborated on the functions of a king, as the king would be the one to read the selected portions in the Beis Hamikdash. And from one topic to another, all woven together, the Rebbe referred during his farbrengen to sources in Chumash and in both of the Talmuds, in Halakha, in Midrash, in Hasidus, the two aspects of Hasidus, the Hasakalah, which is the deep philosophy, and the, its takeaway in Avodas Hashem, and in Kabbalah. In short, the farbrengen consisted of PaRDeS, Peshat, Remez, Drush, Sod, which are all the various aspects of the Torah. This farbrengen Chal Hameitzos later pre-proved to be, in a sense, the first of a series of farbrengens which began in the early nineteen

02:12 forties after the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin, BeEzras Hashem, miraculously managed to arrive safely to the US shores in the summer of nineteen forty-one. These farbrengens took place on a day of Chal Hameitzos on an annual basis, initially intended exclusively for Talmidei Hayeshivas till the year Taf Shin Chaf Dalet, late nineteen sixty-three. And that is when the last farbrengen Chal Hameitzos took place. In addition to Lubavitch students, there were participants from yeshivas as Rab Chaim Berlin, Rab Yitzchak Elchanan, and Torah Vodaas, whereas some of these yeshivas were located near Crown Heights. The next occasion where we find a mention of Hakhel by the Rebbe is in the year Taf Shin Yud Beis, nineteen fifty-two, preparing for the Shnas Hakhel, which was Taf Shin Yud Gimel, nineteen fifty-three. In a letter of Chai Elul, Taf Shin Yud Beis, nineteen fifty-two, the Rebbe writes the following, as it is published in Igros Kodesh, Chelek Vav, Omud Shin Mem Gimel. That's the Rebbe's Igros, Volume six, page three forty-three. As mentioned, the date is Chai Elul, Taf Shin Yud Beis, and the Rebbe addresses this letter to our brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters of Am Yisrael, wherever they are, Hashem Aleihem Yichiu. Shalom Uvracha, blessings and peace. In honor of the new year, which is approaching on us and on the whole Am Yisrael, the Teva V'havraha, the Rebbe mentions that he's sending to all our brothers and sisters, wherever they are, Hashem Aleihem Yichiu, a Birchas Shona Teva to be inscribed and sealed for a good

04:33 and sweet year. And the Rebbe then continues. At the conclusion of the Shnas Hashmite, which is a sabbatical year, which was nineteen fifty-two, we remind ourselves benegea to the commandment, which is a very strong pillar and a great covet in Yiddishkeit, the mitzvah of Hakhel. When the whole nation of Am Yisrael, men, women, and children, would gather in the most sacred place in the Beis Hamikdash, which should be built very soon in our time, to listen to the parashas of Kabbalas Malchus Shamayim, taking upon oneself the yoke of Hashem's kingdom, taking upon ourselves the yoke of Hashem's commandments and covenants of Torah, and how it is given over to all, including also the parasha of Asat Asher. And although at all times we are obligated in educating the sons and the daughters to fulfill the Derech Hashem, but when it comes to the conclusion of Shnas Hashmita, we receive an extra measure of this commandment with an increase in the inspiration. As it says, their children will listen and learn out of fear Hashem. And especially in the in the Yom Kippur, especially Chad HaSukkot, Yom HaKahl, which is the time that they would gather in the Beis Hamikdash. every rav and every leader and everyone who's involved in communal events should be inspired and accomplish words that come out from the heart, the awakened heart that is found in every Yid, and it should enter the hearts of the listeners to inspire the members of the community and the environment for an increase in

06:59 Torah and in fear of Hashem, and especially in supporting by strengthening and broadening the the educational schools, with and together and bring all the sons and daughters that they should be educated in these That they should be an example of that they are the shoot that I planted, my handwork in which I glory, which is a verse in the Navi Yeshayahu. And the Rebbe begins concluding the letter that I hope that this inspiration and effect which will come from this gathering should be something continuous and effective on the whole year. And in merit of this, Hashem Yisbarach should give us the merit that we should already have the complete redemption through Mashiach Tzidkeinu, and then we will be able to accomplish and fulfill the mitzvah of Hatel in our Beis Hamikdash, Amen Ken Yehi Ratzon. The Rebbe concludes before the signature, the one who blesses and the one who is blessed, for a good and sweet year, physically and spiritually. And here the Rebbe signs his, his name in a very exceptional way, his first name, his second name, and mentions his mother's name, Ben Chana Schneerson. Generally, the Rebbe would sign only his name, but this is one of the exceptional letters where the Rebbe signs his name and his mother's name. We will, im yirtze Hashem, continue in the next installment.