Hakhel - Part 5: 5713

00:01 This is Behem Shekh in continuation to installment number four on Hakhel, where we discussed the Rebbe Sicha on Chala Med Sukkes Tavshin Yud Gimel, late 1952. The Rebbe shared his insights on the aspects of Mitzvah Hakhel and its connection to the previous year, which was a Shemitah year, a sabbatical year, and to the Yom Tov of Sukkes. We now continue with the Sicha, where the Rebbe concludes, uh, he discusses the takeaway, the lesson which we derive for us from Hakhel in Avedas Hashem. The Rebbe states the following, that this is a lesson for us with the introduction that although the sabbatical year and its aspects relating to fields did not take place outside of Eretz Yisroel, even in the time that the Beis Hamikdash existed, and surely in our time. Nevertheless, also in our time, and even outside of Eretz Yisroel, there is still the mitzvah of Shemitah Sheksofin, a sabbatical year which relates to monetary matters. And in addition to that, even in regards to the sabbatical year relating to fields, which is not customary now, the spiritual aspect of the mitzvah still exists. And the lesson that we derive from it is something which is intact everywhere and at all times, and with a greater measure when it comes to the specific exclusive time when the mitzvah of Hakhel was fulfilled in the Beis Hamikdash. Therefore, when one finds himself at the conclusion of a sabbatical year, every sabbatical year, at all times and everywhere where Yidden find themselves in, it is demanded

02:17 from a Yid, and since it is demanded from him, this is a sign that he has the keyach, the potential to accomplish it. That although tomorrow he goes out in the street to involve himself in physical matters and even matters that are lower than physical, coarse matters, nevertheless, he accomplishes it in him- in himself and also on the street and the physical matters that when he is occupied with them and is doing them in the way it should be done, he needs to remember 100% that Shema Yisroel Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad. And he needs to know that we are saf todig onecho v'sireich v'yitzarecha, that gathering the harvest is dependent on fulfilling the commandment, the commandments of Hashem as they are mentioned in the beginning of the second portion of Krisma V'hoyim Shomeya Tishmu. And this is not something that relates exclusively only with Eretz Yisroel or with the existence of the Beis Hamikdash, because the portions of Sh'ma V'hoyim Shomeya are recited everywhere and at all times, twice a day. But when it comes to the time of Hakhel, there is a need with a, with a-- for an additional inspiration, we then add and read these portions in a very spec-special manner through the king or the goral hador in the presence of the whole nation, men, women, and children. This is also a lesson in regards to accomplishing with another Yid, making an impression on the Yid, bringing him closer to Yiddishkeit, Hakhel esaom hoanoshem banoshem bataf, gathering the nation, men, women,

04:14 and children, without taking consideration the status of the person who we meet, which might sometimes be very distant, remote from Yiddishkeit because actually every Yid has in his neshamah in, in, in a, in a manner of intact nekudas hayadus, the nekuda, the essence of him, of his neshamah. Even a kal shebekalim, even someone that's on a very low standard. Therefore, the first thing needs to be done is to draw the person to a gathering of Yidden where they speak about Yiras Shamayim, and this would be a good beginning that eventually it will permeate the person that he will come to a point of the Yiras Hashem to fear Hashem. This in itself could be done in many different ways. The best way which is in accordance of the ratzon, the will of Hashem, who is the essence of goodness, and the nature of goodness is to do good, is when all this is done with the feeling of joy. This is also the unique quality of Hakhel when it is done in Chag Hasukkes, that is when Mitzvas Hakhel is fulfilled. In addition to the fact that Sukkes is one of the three Yomim Tovim about which it is stated, "Mehadim l'simcha," Yomim Tovim of joy, Sukkes has an additional simcha, a simcha Beis HaShe'ever when they drew the water in the Beis Hamikdash, about which our sages state in the tractate of Sukka One who did not see the joy that took place in Beis Hamikdash never saw a simcha in his life. And

06:22 the Rebbe continues and begins concluding that the great simcha of Chag HaSukkes contributes an additional kech, a potential to everyone that all the above is done in an easier way and in a more pleasant way. It's a lesson from the Rebbe Gishmakar, which means with a special pleasure. And Mamele, great is the obligation that is placed on everyone to be involved in that. Al kaponim be'efen de pis chilika chuda shalomachat. Which this is a quote from our sages on a verse in Shir HaShirim, Song of Songs. The Eibishter says, pis chili, open up for me. So our sages tell us that the Eibishter wants just a little, a little opening. Kechuda shalomachat. Kechuda shalomachat means either the point of the needle or the eye of the needle, which is very small. So that's what the Eibishter demands from us. And as mentioned, not to take into consideration what the background is of a Yid who we just meet today. Even if it seems to him that that person is in a situation of a katn shel egil lechinuch, he never had any education. And even if we'll try to educate him, it won't help. Because behad ekav shederach aman alamalach. A person doesn't have to make all these calculations to understand exactly what he needs to do and what will work out later. You have to do what you have to do to bring the person to a mesiba gathering of Yiddish HaMayim. And all the rest Hashem Yisborach will do. And surely that eventually

08:07 Hashem will accomplish that. They will all form into one group to fulfill your will, the will of Hashem, full-heartedly. Concluding with a letter of the Rebbe that was written after Chag HaSukkes that year. The Rebbe makes mention of Hakel in the letter which was dated Rishkedesh Chesfun Tav Shin Yud Gimel. It is published in the volume 7 of the Rebbe's letters, page 13. And it was addressed to Lubavitch Youth Organization in Eretz Yisrael, Tzirei Agudas Chabad. Amongst the topics that the Rebbe is touching upon in the letter, the Rebbe writes that I'm waiting for detailed reports in regards to the gathering of Zecher LeHakel, which they're going to make in Eretz Yisrael. Which means the Rebbe was waiting that there should be reports coming in, how many people participated, what was discussed, etc., etc.