Hakhel Moments

The 612^th Mitzvah is described in Parshat Vayelech as a national gathering that would take place on the second day of Sukkot during the year after Shemitah. The Talmud in Sota paints for us the scene: Millions of Jews – men and women, children as young as infants, scholars and laypeople alike, assembled in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. A hush falls over the mammoth crowd, as the royally bedecked king of Israel ascends on to a platform and reads sections of the holy Torah. The nation is inspired and invigorated. A display of unity and a statement of purpose converge to revitalize and refocus the entire nation. This scene repeated itself in ancient Jerusalem every seven years (almost 200 times) for over 1300 years. The first Hakhel took place 22 years after the Jews entered the Land Of Israel. Since there was no king at the time, Yehoshua read the Torah selections in Shiloh. Historians believe that the last Hakhel took place in 40 CE with Agrippas the Second leading the service. With the destruction of the Temple, Hakhel was discontinued, but never forgotten from our national memory. The idea of reviving the mitzvah of Hakhel in modern times was first proposed by Rabbi Eliyahu David Rabinowitz-Teomim, known as the Aderet, who was the father-in-law of Rav Kook. He wrote two pamphlets on the issue and felt that Hakhel’s message was crucial and relevant and deserved commemoration in an active way.  The first official Israeli ceremony of Hakhel was held during Sukkot of 1945. A special service was held in the Yeshurun Synagogue, after which a mass procession marched to the Western Wall where the specified Torah portions were read. The ceremony seven years later, in 1952, was the first for the newly established State of Israel. I believe there are three lessons for us to learn from the mitzvah of Hakhel. The first lesson is the importance of showing up. The pasuk begins: “Hakhel Et Ha’Am” “Gather the People”. The Sefer Hachinuch writes that the mitzvah is for all people to show up; your attendance at Hakhel is both mandatory and necessary. Hakhel teaches us not only the importance of being physically present, but also the importance of being fully present in every way: emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Hakhel is also a lesson in Jewish unity. Real unity is accomplished when diverse people come together in unity of purpose, when they are able to put aside their differences in pursuit of a shared experience or common goal. Hakhel is a re-enactment of Matan Torah, at which time everybody was present K’Ish Echad B’Lev Echad. Lastly, Hakhel reminds us that learning occurs not only through information, but through experiences. According to many commentators, even very young children, those whose parents are not yet obligated in the mitzvah of Chinuch, also have to attend. In Masechet Chagiga, Rabbi Elazar ben Azarya explains that even young children are brought “in order to give reward to those who bring them.” The reward that is referred to is the indelible imprint that the experience will have on the child.  Tosfot in Chagiga note that Hakhel is the basis for the practice of bringing young children to shul. Hakhel teaches us the importance of providing experiences even for young children that will foster a love for shul and Mitzvot. Over the next few weeks we will spend more time than usual in shul. I urge all of us to take advantage of these Hakhel moments when we can be inspired by the power of our community (Our Big Boat) and feel that we are part of something larger. I especially urge parents of children to find age-appropriate opportunities to bring your kids to shul to be, and to feel, a part of the Tzibur. Some examples of these moments are: Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat, part of Shabbat or Yom Tov morning davening, Sukkah Hop, Mini Hakafot on Erev Simchat Torah and our Grand Community Hakafot (at night) for adults, children and families and Kol HaNearim on Simchat Torah day.