9232 —חשיבות החינוך ורוח הקהל בזמננו

B"H, 28 Tishrei, 5727.

Brooklyn, NY.

To all participants in the annual dinner of Yeshivas Achei Temimim in Newark, may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

The matter of chinuch—education and upbringing of the young generation—has always been one of the highest and most important tasks for every nation, especially for the Jewish people. The holy Torah, Toras Chaim—the true guide in Jewish life (Torah from the word 'hora'ah', instruction)—places the greatest emphasis on chinuch in daily life ("uShinantam l'vanecha", "And you shall teach them to your children"). From the time of Avraham Avinu ("Lema'an asher yetzaveh es banav", "So that he will command his children") until today, chinuch has been and remains the primary duty of Jewish parents individually and of the Jewish community as a whole.

This year, the matter of chinuch is especially highlighted as it is a post-Shemittah year—the year of Hakhel. This is the special mitzvah that was performed once every seven years during the time of the Beis HaMikdash when all Jews—parents and children, even very small children, and even "strangers" ("veGercha asher b'sha'arecha", "and your stranger who is within your gates")—were required to gather in the Beis HaMikdash to hear the king himself read certain portions from the Torah so that everyone would be permeated with the spirit of Torah, mitzvos, and fear of Heaven.

This great event especially underscored the importance of chinuch for young and old: it reminded and demanded from leaders of the people and from parents themselves to fulfill their duty to its fullest extent. It again emphasized the significance of chinuch for children of all ages; even those who were too young to understand ("uVneichem asher lo yadu", "and your children who do not know") had to be present at Hakhel as preparation for later on—for Jewish chinuch begins from earliest childhood.

Although today we cannot fulfill the mitzvah of Hakhel as it was done during Beis HaMikdash times, it remains relevant in its spiritual sense: it reminds and calls upon every individual—parents, ordinary Jews, and especially activists, communal workers, and leaders—to fulfill their duty (which is also an extraordinary merit) in this area: chinuch al taharas haKodesh (education in purity), each one according to his or her full ability.

It is hoped that all participants and friends of Yeshivas Achei Temimim will use this opportunity at their annual gathering to express the spirit of Hakhel mentioned above in a practical way by strengthening and expanding all efforts for this educational institution—which is one of the main pillars of pure Torah education in your community.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Jewish education is a timeless priority for every generation. In a Hakhel year especially, we are called upon to renew our dedication to pure Torah education for all ages—beginning from earliest childhood—and support institutions that embody these values.