ספר דברים - פרשת וילך - לא:י-יג - רביעי

Moshe commanded them, saying: At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time during the year of Shemitah, at the festival of Sukkos. The Torah is telling us that there is a special event that takes place at the end of the Shemitah cycle, specifically during Sukkos. This is when the mitzvah of Hakhel is performed, where all of Klal Yisroel gathers together. The verse specifies the timing: it is after the conclusion of the seven-year cycle, during the festival of Sukkos, which follows the Shemitah year. This sets the stage for the unique mitzvah that is about to be described.

Rashi explains the phrase 'Miketz Sheva Shanim'—at the end of seven years. He says this refers to the first year after Shemitah, which is the eighth year of the cycle. So why does the Torah call it 'the year of Shemitah' if it's already the eighth year? Rashi answers that even though the Shemitah year has ended, there are still certain laws of Shemitah that apply, specifically regarding the produce that was grown during the seventh year but is harvested in the eighth. This produce is still subject to the laws of Shemitah, so the Torah refers to it as 'the year of Shemitah' because the effects of Shemitah are still present in the eighth year, at least regarding the produce. Therefore, the mitzvah of Hakhel is performed during Sukkos of the eighth year, but it is still called 'the year of Shemitah' due to these lingering laws.

The verse continues: When all of Klal Yisroel comes to appear before Hashem, your God, in the place that He will choose, you shall read this Torah before all of Israel in their ears. This is describing the mitzvah of Hakhel, where the entire nation gathers together in the Beis HaMikdash, and the king reads from the Torah to everyone present. The Torah emphasizes that this is done in the presence of all of Klal Yisroel, and it is a public reading so that everyone can hear. The location is specified as the place that Hashem will choose, which is the Beis HaMikdash in Yerushalayim. The reading is done in a way that everyone can hear and pay attention to the words of the Torah.

Rashi explains the phrase 'Tikra Es HaTorah HaZos'—you shall read this Torah. He says that the king would read from the beginning of Eleh HaDevorim, as it is taught in Maseches Sotah. The king would stand on a wooden platform that was set up in the courtyard of the Beis HaMikdash. This public reading was a special event, and the king would read from the Torah in front of everyone, starting from the beginning of Sefer Devarim, from Eleh HaDevorim. Rashi brings the source from the Gemara, which describes the details of how the reading was performed, including the special platform that was constructed for this occasion.

The Torah commands: Assemble the people—the men, the women, and the children, and the stranger who is in your cities—in order that they should hear, and in order that they should learn, and fear Hashem your God, and observe to do all the words of this Torah. This verse describes the inclusiveness of the mitzvah of Hakhel: everyone is required to attend, regardless of age or status. The purpose is twofold: first, so that everyone will hear the words of the Torah, and second, so that they will learn from it, develop yiras Shomayim (fear of Hashem), and be careful to fulfill all the mitzvos. The Torah is emphasizing the impact that this public reading is meant to have on the entire nation, inspiring them to greater observance and fear of Hashem.

Rashi explains the word 'ha'anashim'—the men. He says that the men come to learn. Their primary purpose in attending Hakhel is to study and understand the Torah that is being read. The mitzvah for the men is focused on the aspect of learning and acquiring knowledge of the Torah.

Rashi explains the word 'hanashim'—the women. He says that the women come to hear. Their main purpose in attending Hakhel is to listen to the reading of the Torah. While the men are focused on learning, the women are there to hear and be inspired by the words of the Torah that are read publicly by the king.

The Rashi here asks: Why did the children come? The answer is: to give reward to those who bring them. In other words, even though the children themselves may not understand what is being read, their presence is important so that those who bring them—meaning the parents or guardians—will receive reward for bringing them along to this gathering.

The verse says: "And their children who did not know will hear and learn to fear Hashem your God all the days that you live on the land to which you are crossing the Jordan to possess." The teacher explains that this refers to the children who do not yet have knowledge or understanding. By being present at this event, they will hear and learn, and this will instill in them fear of Hashem. The verse emphasizes that this is not just a one-time thing, but something that will affect them for all the days that you live on the land, meaning it will have a lasting impact on their lives as they settle in Eretz Yisroel. The teacher also notes that this is why the children are brought—to give them the opportunity to hear and learn, even if they do not yet understand, so that eventually they will come to fear Hashem and observe all the words of the Torah. This is part of the mitzvah of Hakhel, where everyone, including men, women, and children, gathers so that all can participate in this communal experience of Torah learning and yiras Shomayim.