The Rebbe's Mivtzoim: Part 1

00:01 In the year Tov Shin Lamed Dalet, nineteen seventy-four, the Rebbe introduced five Mivtzo'yim, a five-point mitzvah campaign. This was in addition to the Mivtzet Tefillin campaign, which the Rebbe initiated in Tov Shin Chaf Zayin, spring nineteen sixty-seven, just a few days before the outbreak of the Six-Day War. Tov Shin Lamed Dalet, nineteen seventy-four, also marks a milestone. It was in the spring of this year, fifty years ago, when the Mivtzo'yim tanks, Miv- M-M-Mitzvah tanks began rolling on the New York streets and then all over the world. In marking this milestone, we will, im yirtze Hashem, begin a series of broadcasts on the Rebbe's Mivtzo'yim and the Mivtzer tanks. A short word, , the Mivtzo'yim. On a very basic level, the reason for this campaign was to awaken in every Yid the concealed spark of Emunah or faith, the pintel Yid which exists in the soul of every Yid. In course of time, it proved that the objective of the mitzvah campaign was not only to awaken Jewish awareness, but also to uplift Am Yisrael to the greatest heights, to stand prepared altogether, ready. The original text, it is for the upcoming geulah. When the Rebbe assumed leadership by delivering his first ma'amar, Hassidic discourse, on Yud Shevat, Alef Shevat, Tov Shin Yud Alef, nineteen fifty-one, he formally made a statement establishing the avoda, or task, of his leadership. The Rebbe stated that the love of Hashem, love of Torah, and love of a Yid are all one entity. The love of Hashem cannot exist without

02:26 the love of Torah or of a Yid. He further explained that loving a Yid does not mean only supplying him with bread and water, but bringing him closer to the love of Torah and Hashem. The linkage of love and of Hashem, Torah and a Yid, is everlasting and will bring the geulah. During the course of the next few years, the Rebbe continued to lay the philosophical underpinnings of his leadership. He discussed in detail the concept of Emunah or faith, and how it is instilled into every Yid by the Moreinu or leader of their generation. The Rebbe spoke strongly about the need for a proper chinuch, or Jewish education, and demanded action on behalf of the Yemenite children in Eretz Yisrael who were being stripped of all connection to their Jewish identity. The Rebbe then began to implement the, these concepts in a practical way. In the year Tov Shin Yud Beis, nineteen fifty-two, the Rebbe founded Tziri Agudas Chabad, Lubavitch youth organization, and Agudas Neshei Ubnai Chabad, Lubavitch women's and girls' organization in Eretz Yisrael. The Rebbe also created the network for the Reshet Talmudei Toshaives Chadorim in Eretz Yisrael and Australia. Early in the year Tov Shin Yud Gimel, Simchas Torah time, the Rebbe created the Agudas Neshei Ubnai Chabad in the United States. This was late nineteen fifty-two. Two years later, in Tov Shin Yud Dalet, which is late nineteen fifty-three, the Rebbe initiated then Mivtzer Dalet Ninim, a call to bench lulav with anybody- one who hadn't yet made the blessing on

04:48 the four species during the Sukkot holiday. Months later, as it was getting closer to Pesach, this is in the year nineteen fifty-four, the Rebbe urged anyone who were influence on others to distribute shmurah matzah to those who wouldn't otherwise have any for this Yom Tov. This was one of the Rebbe's very first mitzvah campaigns. At that point, though, it wasn't referred to as a Mivtzer. Distributing matzah was an appropriate way for Jewry in our generation to form a link of faith to Hashem. Matzah had nourished the Yidden leaving Mitzrayim and established a link of faith between them and Hashem. Around the same time, the Rebbe initiated Mivtzer Shofar, which is to make sure that people who are not able on their own to hear the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah That Chassidim should ac- uh, reach them, either they're in the hospitals or nursing homes, or even in the street, in order to give them the merit of listening to the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. About 13 years later, after 1954, prior to the Six-Day War, as mentioned earlier, the Rebbe initiated a worldwide Mivtzet film campaign, i which- in which he urged every Yid to put on film. Thousands of Yidden the world over responded positively to this call. In the year Taf Shin Lamed Alef, 1974, the Rebbe began the Mitzvah campaign in full force. Mivtzer Torah was a call for every Yid to study Torah every day. Mivtzer Mezuzah called on Yidden to put on mezuzahs on all their doorposts.

07:04 Mivtzer Tzedakah instructed everyone to place a charity box or pushtah in their home. Mivtzer Bayis Moel Seforim required every home to have seforim or Jewish books in their home. Mivtzer Yavneh VeChachameha, which usually went with, with the title Mivtzer Bayis Moel Seforim, was a directive to establish yeshivas wherever possible. Mivtzer Neshek, which the Rebbe initiated towards the end of the year in Elul time of that same year, and this was a sicha which the Rebbe delivered customarily for Nshei of Chabad twice a year, before Shavuos and before Rosh Hashanah, and that is when the Rebbe initiated Mivtzer Neshek, which is the abbreviation Neshek, Neir, Shabbos, Kodesh. The Rebbe would also add Yom Tov. This was a call for every Jewish woman and girl over three years of age to light Shabbos and Yom Tov candles. In the year Taf Shin Lamed Heh, 1975, the Rebbe presented two more Mivtzoim. Mivtzer Kasherus was a call on every Yid to keep a k- kosher home. Mivtzer Taharas Hamishpacha presented the necessity of practicing the laws of family purity. In the year Taf Shin Lamed Vav, 1976, the Rebbe added Mivtzer Ahavas Yisroel to instill the love of every Yid, and Mivtzer Chinuch to ensure that every Jewish child had access to a Jewish education. These two Mivtzoim concluded the 10-point Mivtzer campaign. The Rebbe would many times refer to it as the Aseres Hamivtzoim HaYeduim, the 10-point Mitzvah Mivtzer campaign, and HaYeduim, which are known. And many times, although the, the, the Rebbe already mentioned the words

09:19 Aseres, uh, Mi- Mivtzoim HaYeduim, nevertheless, the Rebbe said as cherishing it, as we find it also in Rashi, that Hashem counts Yidden, counted Yidden when they were in the desert a few occasions. Likewise, in the same sense that the Aibishter cherishes Am Yisroel, and therefore he counts them as something which is precious and dear, likewise, the Rebbe would elaborate and mention them, itemize the Mivtzoim one by one, going through each one of them. In initiating this campaign, the Rebbe intended for Yidden to express their emunah in a practical and active way, thus deepening their connection to Hashem, and for Mivtzoim to have an impact on every aspect of a Yid's life. They would contribute berachos to the individual's health and that of his family for generations to follow, protect his property, and have a positive impact on the surrounding environment. In addition to these goals, which dealt with basic human needs, the Rebbe linked the Mitzvah campaign with the more complex issue of the upcoming redemption, the ultimate goal and purpose of the Galus. We will, im yirtze Hashem, continue in the next installment.