תשמ"א—פונה בקריאה לילדי/ילדות ישראל שלפני גיל בר/בת מצוה להתאגד ב”צבאות השם” )בסיסמת: “ווי וואנט משיח נאו”(...

In 5741: the calls on all Jewish boys and girls under the age of Bar/Bas to join together in “,” with the motto “We want Moshiach Now.” (Introduction to )

ON THE FRONT LINES THE FOUNDING OF TZIVOS HASHEM JEM 235096 5743, B’OMER LAG

ADAR 5777 38 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER לע"נ הרה"ח הרה"ת ר' אברהם יעקב ב"ר חיים מרדכי ע"ה נלב"ע כ"ה תשרי ה'תשנ"ו ולע"נ זוגתו האשה החשובה מרת פריידא ראצא בת הרב יחיאל אפרים פישל ע"ה נלב"ע ט"ז אדר-שני ה'תשע"ו נדפס ע"י בנם הרה"ת ר' משה מאיר שמואל וזוגתו רבקה לאה ומשפחתם שי' גלוכאווסקי

Special thanks to Rabbis Yerachmiel Benjaminson, Yosef Katzman, Mendel Kotlarsky, Yosef Lebenhartz, Naftoli Rot and Rapahel Tenenhaus, for their assistance with this article. ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 39 On Shabbos Mevorchim Iyar 5736, the Rebbe established mivtza chinuch—an international initiative focussed (primarily) on children’s education. Over the summer of 5736 and throughout the following year, Chassidim from all over the world threw themselves should be arranged over the following few weeks: into the mivtza, visiting hundreds of schools and before Rosh Hashanah, during Asseres Yemei Teshuva, homes and reaching tens of thousands of children. and during Chol Hamoed. The Rebbe requested that It was during this time that the Rebbe selected the they take place throughout the world, and specifically Twelve Pesukim and began holding periodical rallies at the Kossel, Mearas Hamachpela and Kever Rochel.1 for children. (For a comprehensive article on mivtza chinuch, see Derher 44 (121), Iyar 5776.) THESE RALLIES WERE A few years later, at a surprise on Erev HELD IN 770 AS WELL, Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5740, the Rebbe announced a new mivtza for children, with a new emphasis: AND FOR THE FINAL The time had come for the fulfillment of “Veheishiv lev avos al banim—al yedei banim” (“The hearts of ONE, ON CHOL HAMOED fathers will be turned back [to Hashem] through SUKKOS 5741, THE their children”)—to reach the parents through their children’s encouragement. The Rebbe laid out a REBBE HIMSELF JOINED. program beginning with preparation for Pesach, only THAT IS WHERE OUR two weeks away. STORY BEGINS. It started with the famous “matzah ball contest,” reaching more than fifty-thousand children, and continued with Lag B’omer, with over twenty-thousand people participating in the largest Lag B’omer parade to date. It was before Shavuos that year that the Rebbe announced the initiative for every child to be in shul for asseres hadibros, and during the summer, rallies were frequently held. (To read about mivtza veheishiv lev avos at length, see Derher 20 (97), Sivan 5774.)

On Shabbos parshas Ki Savo, at the very end of 5740— right before the beginning of shnas hakhel, 5741—the

Rebbe requested that three rallies/hakhels of children via JEM 124858 MELAMED YOSSI

A FLYER ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO JOIN THE PESACH CAMPAIGN BY TZIVOS HASHEM IN ERETZ YISROEL, CIRCA 5741.

ADAR 5777 40 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER BUILDING AN ARMY also applied in modern times, and continues. “Film photographers “The boys sat in the front of the among other things, he proposed the rushed forward dragging their heavy Hall, and the girls at the rear...Rabbi following: “It would be a good idea for equipment and long trailing wires. J. J. Hecht was in charge. A couple of those who can participate more often The Rebbe halted for a few moments, clowns were jumping and scampering in such gatherings, to form a ...unit, whilst he handed over money for about amongst the children. One of under the same name everywhere Tzedoka to various children. He them, with a white face (painted), a “Tzivos Hashem”—“G-d’s Army”, then marched forward towards the long red nose (false) and a big bushy to which every Jew already belongs platform to the tune of “Vesomachto”. beard (not false) approached me - he from childhood, all the better to The Rebbe set a terrific pace when wanted to borrow a Gartel (black belt) carry out the Divine order: “Fill the he arrived on the platform. (I ceased with which to daven Mincha. There earth and master it”—mastering all clapping my hands, much sooner than was also a band in attendance.” that is around him/her by filling the the Rebbe did). This is how Reb Zalmon Jaffe environment with true light, the light “[In general, during] children’s describes the first Tzivos Hashem rally of and mitzvos, so that everyone services, Utzu Aitzo is sung, and in his yearly “My Encounter with the will see and know that the whole repeated many many times, with very Rebbe” pamphlet. world is G-d’s. much fervour and energy. In fact, At the beginning of the rally, Rabbi This marked the first time the from this time onwards until after Moshe Bogomilsky read a letter that Rebbe used the term Tzivos Hashem. Shabbos Beraishis, which this year the Rebbe had addressed to “All Jewish At that early stage, it may have seemed occurred on the day immediately children of pre-bar/bas mitzvah age,” to be just another hakhel-initiative, but following Simchas Torah, the Rebbe in honor of the rallies being held as we will later see, this was far from made a point of ensuring that the Utzu around the world. the case. Aitzo sentence was sung loudly and In it, the Rebbe elaborated on the “Then the Rebbe arrived amidst vigorously after every service. theme of hakhel, explaining that it great excitement,” Reb Zalmon

THE REBBE SAYS A SICHA TO THE CHILDREN DURING A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 28 KISLEV 5743.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 41 “One man outclassed and surpassed everyone with his forceful clapping, dynamic energy, vigorous vitality and vibrant intensity. This was Our Revered and Beloved Rebbe, Shlita”

the yetzer hara and not-Yiddishkeit. Every child is a soldier—always on duty, alert to the new missions—with Hashem as his “commander in chief”. On a practical level, the Rebbe gave several instructions, including: • Every child should encourage as many children as possible to join Tzivos Hashem, in keeping with the mitzvah “Ve’ahavta lereacha kamocha.” • The booklet of the Twelve Pesukim (originally published in 5736) should be reprinted on special paper, before the next rally on Chanukah. In the back of the booklet, the children should write down the names of the children whom they had influenced to join2, and when they turn it in on Chanukah, they will receive prizes. LEVI FREIDIN via JEM, 207814 RECITATION OF THE 12 PESUKIM AT A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 18 TISHREI 5743. • These instructions should be relayed to the children “The next item was the recital for about seven or eight minutes, the throughout the world, in all of the Twelve Torah sayings. J.J. Rebbe paused for a slight intermission languages, and the booklet commented that we had visitors and whilst Rabbi J.J. translated what the should be published in the guests from all over the world—just Rebbe had said, into English.” language of each country. like a mixed up United Nations. He During the sichos, the Rebbe After the sichos, the Rebbe gave the was therefore choosing representatives explained the significance of the madrichim copies of the letter from from different countries to recite these newfound Tzivos Hashem: every Yid, Chol Hamoed translated into English twelve verses. and especially every child, is in the to distribute to the children, together “The Rebbe then addressed the army of Hashem to fight the milchemes with coins—one dime for tzedakah children in Yiddish. After speaking Hashem [the war of Hashem] against and another one for personal use.

ADAR 5777 42 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER Mr. Jaffe concludes his description Each of the teachers took a sefer have a mental image of 770: the bima of the event: Torah, and the Rebbe took one as well was in the middle of the shul, and “The excitement was terrific. The [this was highly unusual as throughout around the bima there was an empty Rebbe had been concentrating his the years the Rebbe’s custom was space for the hakafos, with tables set efforts on the youngsters, the new to participate in only the first and up around it to hold off the crowd; recruits to Tzivos Hashem—G-d’s seventh hakafos]. The Rebbe instructed this was known as “the ches.” All along Army. Hundreds of these young boys that the niggun “Utzu Eitza” be sung; the way from the hakafos area to the had pushed and squeezed themselves with one hand he held the sefer Torah, Rebbe’s place, tables were set up to right to the front. When the Rebbe and with the other he encouraged leave a pathway for the Rebbe. entered and ascended to the platform the tremendous singing, dancing in As the children were passed to the they all sang lustily and heartily, the circle together with the immense middle, for the fifth hakafa as per the but they were really screaming and crowd of children. Rebbe’s instruction, the hakafos area screeching, clapping: hands and filled up entirely, packed with children, jumping. and more kept on pouring in. They “One man outclassed and The Rebbe asked were placed on the tables surrounding surpassed everyone with his forceful that the children the hakafos area, and when that filled clapping, dynamic energy, vigorous up, they were left behind the tables vitality and vibrant intensity. This should be honored among the crowd. was Our Revered and Beloved Rebbe, with this hakafa; The vaad hamesader tried making Shlita.” some sort of seder, but they were their teachers utterly unsuccessful. It was simply CELEBRATING WITH would go with them impossible. THE SOLDIERS and hold the sifrei Twenty minutes passed, and finally, Throughout the previous year, the Rebbe took the sefer Torah and during the mivtza of veheishiv lev avos, Torah. Pandemonium walked to the hakafos place. But upon in addition to directing his Chassidim erupted; nothing arriving at the entranceway into the and others to reach out to children, like this had ever ches, the Rebbe had to stop. The way the Rebbe himself had shown them in was completely packed with people, tremendous kiruvim. This came to happened before… with no room for anyone to move. a climax on Shemini Atzeres and in true 770 fashion, One of the mazkirim tried making Simchas Torah, a few days after the they were handed space, but he couldn’t. When he saw establishment of Tzivos Hashem. that, the Rebbe started making a seder During the hakafos of Shemini from person to himself, and personally told people to Atzeres, as the fifth hakafa was coming person over the clear out certain areas for the children. up, the Rebbe asked that the children heads of the crowd. Although it was still packed inside should be honored with this hakafa; the hakafos area, the Rebbe began their teachers would go with them and the hakafa, and started singing “Utzu hold the sifrei Torah. On his way back to the front, the Eitza.” The children all around him— Pandemonium erupted; nothing Rebbe said that the sefer Torah shel and the entire crowd—burst into song, like this had ever happened before. Moshiach should be brought “by a as the Rebbe held the sefer Torah with Hundreds of children from all corners strong person” up to the women’s one hand and encouraged the singing of the huge, packed room needed section so the girls could kiss it; the with the other. Every so often, he to get to the middle, to the place of hakafos would wait until it returned. lowered the sefer Torah to a child to hakafos, and, in true 770 fashion, they The following night, on Simchas allow him to kiss it. were handed from person to person Torah, there was another hakafa for The Rebbe danced in the circle, over the heads of the crowd. The ages children; only this time it was on a keeping close to the outer tables, ranged from toddlers to youngsters much larger scale, since all parents motioning every so often to the right before bar mitzva, but everyone in Crown Heights had made sure to children to let him pass. After the made it to the middle one way or bring their children. hakafa was over, the Rebbe again another. In order to get a picture of what instructed that the sefer Torah shel happened that night, it is necessary to Moshiach be sent upstairs. Upon

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 43 returning his sefer Torah and sitting down, the Rebbe began “Vesamachta.” < WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW > He spoke briefly with some of the After the singing of Napoleon’s March and davening mincha with the children gathered around, giving a few Rebbe, Rabbi Hecht took the microphone and addressed the children: of them some wine for l’chaim, and “We want to tell the Rebbe the words of the new song we are singing even shook some of their hands “gut about Moshiach. So I’m just going to read them: ‘Am Yisroel, have no fear, yom tov.” Moshiach will be here this year. We want Moshiach now, we don’t want to At the end of the evening, close w ait .’” to 3:00 a.m., the Rebbe told Rabbi The Rebbe smiled broadly, revealing his immense nachas at the Avrohom Shemtov to lead the singing children’s’ initiative. of Aleinu “like in Gan Yisroel.” The As soon as Rabbi Hecht finished his introduction, the music began children sang “Utzu Eitza” and playing and the children raised their voices in song. Immediately, the “Chayalei Adonenu,” and chanted “We Rebbe’s face turned serious, as he began to clap slowly in encouragement. Want Moshiach Now,” with the Rebbe At each round in the niggun, the Rebbe’s clapping grew stronger and encouraging them all along. Before faster; within minutes, all the the children had risen from their seats, he left, the Rebbe waved both hands singing with all their heart, captivated by the Rebbe’s energetic clapping. to the crowd, wishing them “gut yom Later on, the Rebbe often started this song himself, and in sichos the tov!” three times. following months, he defended the lyrics from various complaints and EDUCATING THE ARMY even elaborated on the significance of certain words. (For more on this special song, see Derher 5 (62) Tishrei 5773, “We During kos shel bracha after Want Moshiach Now!”) Simchas Torah, the Rebbe gave Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Hecht a bottle of mashke “for Tzivos Hashem.” When Rabbi Hecht asked what the mashke “Who is losing out from this? The children! was for, the Rebbe told him to arrange Because they didn’t have these booklets a big children’s rally for the following which would motivate them to get out Wednesday, as a conclusion of Tishrei. The Rebbe added that they should there and recruit more children for make sure to bring a band, and before Tzivos Hashem!” mincha to sing Napoleon’s March— “for that is the proper way to begin the there wasn’t a real concentrated effort, for Tzach immediately published the education of an army.” as befitting a mivtza of this magnitude. booklets of the Yud Beis Pesukim, and The Rebbe also sent a message A few weeks later, on Shabbos Parshas also began working on an emblem. to Rabbi Hecht asking that a special Toldos, the Rebbe spoke a very sharp However, in order for the project to niggun be prepared to serve as the sicha about the lack of activities, and run properly, someone needed to take Tzivos hashem anthem. bemoaned the fact that, in the five the project upon themselves. At this rally—the first official weeks that had passed, the Yud Beis A big meeting was called with Tzivos Hashem get together—the Pesukim booklets had not yet been the directors of the major mosdos of Rebbe continued elaborating on re-printed. Lubavitch: Tzach [Lubavitch Youth various themes of Tzivos Hashem, “Who is suffering from this? The Organization], NCFJE, Beis Rivka, and and spoke a sicha in Russian directed children! Because they didn’t have others, coordinated in conjunction to the Russian children present, also these booklets which would motivate with Rabbi Hodakov. About ten or addressing the state of the Yidden in them to get out there and recruit fifteen mosdos were represented. Russia. more children for Tzivos Hashem! The first order of business was to The children should make a ‘bund,’ appoint a director to manage the new A SLOW START THEN overthrow their generals, and do what mosad; Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson A SPEEDY REVERSAL needs to be done!” was chosen. Following the Rebbe’s call, This sicha, unusual in its length Rabbi Benjaminson, together bochurim and yungeleit got involved and tone, came as a bombshell. That with Rabbi Sholom Ber Baumgarten, in various activities for children, but Motzei Shabbos, bochurim working Rabbi Yosef Katzman and a group

ADAR 5777 44 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER of dedicated bochurim and yungeleit involved, were given the ‘Tzach’ < INCLUDING GIRLS > building, located on Kingston and In the sichos, the Rebbe emphasized that girls have an equal part in President, to work from. Tzivos Hashem. During one of the rallies, one of the themes of the sicha They immediately began working was that it must be immediately visible that a child is part of Tzivos on a number of fronts: developing Hashem—a boy wears his tzitzis and a girl declares ‘Shema Yisrael!’ When the ranks of the army and a system of Rabbi Hecht was translating it into English, the Rebbe told him to add prizes, printing ID cards and badges, that a girl shows her Judaism by wearing modest clothing as befits her. and establishing the Moshiach Times For the front cover of the magazine for Chanukah, the artist Michel 3 magazine ; the Rebbe was involved at Schwartz sketched a row of boys holding hands on the top of the page, every stage of the process. and a row of girls on the bottom, with the words “Ahavas Yisroel.” The first mailing was scheduled Rabbi Benjaminson relates: for Chanukah—only a few weeks “A certain askan strenuously objected to having boys and girls on later—and they had prepared a the same cover. We argued that there was no choice: if only boys were package to send to all the children, featured on the cover, it would look like a boys’ magazine; and the same which included an ID card, a wallet, a was true vice versa. Twelve Pesukim booklet, and a letter “Finally, the askan proposed sending it to the Rebbe. Within ten or addressed to the children. fifteen minutes—which was how fast the Rebbe usually answered the During the previous mivtza of questions relating to Tzivos Hashem at the time—we had our answer. The veheishiv lev avos, and throughout Rebbe made one edit—instead of “Ahavas Yisroel” it should say “Ve’ahav ta the first couple of months of Tzivos l’reiacha kamocha”—and made a check mark. Hashem, many thousands of names “The issue was laid to rest, for now. For the Purim magazine, the had been gathered. artist drew a boy and girl dressed up in costumes, looking in different When it came time for the first directions. mailing, on Chanukah, it was all done “Again, we submitted it to the Rebbe. Ten minutes later it came back by hand. “For a week straight we with a check mark. didn’t sleep,” Rabbi Benjaminson says. “On Pesach, the front cover only had room for one child, and the “Labels had to be typed up by hand; artist drew a boy. But when we sent it to the Rebbe for approval, in a stark the magazines needed to be printed, departure from the previous times, no answer was forthcoming. One day collated, and stapled; then the labels passed, then another and another, and time was running out to get out had to be put on the magazines; and the magazine before Pesach. finally everything needed to be taken “I contacted Rabbi Groner for help, and explained the situation. He to the post office. On the last night, we said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’ Half an hour later, he called back and told .also a girl—גם נערה :had fifty volunteers working the entire me to come over to see the very short answer night to get it out.” At the rally that took place on Chanukah, the Rebbe benchted the children, saying, “Every private [regular soldier] should become an officer; every sergeant and officer should become a general; and every general should become a general with many stars, without limitations…” The staff of Tzivos Hashem developed the concept of ranks and gave it in for approval, and the Rebbe edited it as well. The Rebbe showed immense interest in the ranks, and many times asked children what their ranks were. 28 KISLEV 5743, YOSSI MELAMED via JEM 130336 MELAMED YOSSI 28 KISLEV 5743,

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 45 The Rebbe benchted the children, saying, “Every private [regular soldier] should become an officer; every sergeant and officer should become a general; and every general should become a general with many stars, without limitations”

The Rebbe had also said that the soldiers who excelled should receive prizes, so the staff of Tzivos Hashem began sending out gifts to every child who went up in rank. As the operation grew, they eventually began sending out tens of thousands of prizes a month, specially manufactured in China for this purpose. Throughout the following year, the Rebbe’s involvement with children continued in an unprecedented

THE REBBE RETURNS A SALUTE TO A SOLDIER IN TZIVOS HASHEM. < A RAISE > “One time,” Rabbi fashion, including additional personal INTERNATIONAL Benjaminson relates, “I interactions and many rallies and FORCE received a phone call at twelve sichos. Since the Rebbe announced the o’clock at night from Rabbi Children began gathering near the establishment of Tzivos Hashem, Groner. A child had just been Rebbe’s place during , and in Eretz Yisroel had also in a car accident and was in he would shower them with special undergone a revolution. Rabbi Yosef terrible condition, and the attention, often asking them to begin Lebenhartz, who directed Tzivos Rebbe’s instructions were that “We Want Moshiach Now.” At one Hashem in Eretz Yisroel for many his rank in Tzivos Hashem of the Shabbos farbrengens during years, relates: should be raised, and that that period, a certain Chossid whose “Many rallies were held all over this would help him achieve a makom kavua was in that area tried Eretz Yisroel for Chanukah and other speedy recovery. kicking them out. The Rebbe said occasions, attended by thousands of “I immediately went into the to him, “They are Tzivos Hashem, children. Schools from all across the office, took out his index card, whereas you are a regular citizen. How spectrum participated in the Tzivos and moved him up in rank, and can you tell them what to do!?” Hashem programming, using the boruch Hashem, he recovered.” curriculums, etc. Thousands of Israeli

ADAR 5777 46 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER In order to help them achieve true unity, he was now proposing to write a sefer Torah solely for children, boys and girls, before bar and bas mitzva; every child getting their own letter. Mivtza ois b’sefer Torah became the focus of the second half of the year’s farbrengens, serving as the next step in the Rebbe’s activities for children. (For more on this mivtza, see Derher 39 (116) Teves 5776, “Letter by Letter, Unite the Children.”)

< CHEDER > TZIVOS HASHEM The children should make a “Cheder Tzivos Hashem” of their own personal rooms, a place where the Shechinah resides; in the words of the I will—ושכנתי בתוכם“ ,possuk dwell among them.” This should be apparent by posting a sign that reads “Cheder Tzivos Hashem,” so that immediately upon entering the room the child will see it and remember that he’s a member of Hashem’s army. So when the yetzer hara tries to argue, “Why must you be so THE REBBE RETURNS A SALUTE TO A SOLDIER IN TZIVOS HASHEM. diligent about learning Torah, you’re only a small child who religious and non-religious children headquarters, joining them in the cannot fully comprehend knew that they were part of an army, children’s army of Hashem. these concepts?” the child will lead by the great general—the Rebbe immediately retort: “What in New York.” UNITED difference does my level of In Eretz Yisroel, Tzivos Hashem THROUGH TORAH comprehension make? As soon also established the Chidon During the farbrengen of Yud-Alef as I was born and received my Hamitzvos, a competition where Nissan that year, the Rebbe announced Jewish name, I was instantly children studied the Rambam’s the mivtza ois b’sefer Torah. enlisted in Tzivos Hashem (for Sefer Hamitzvos and the finalists For the past few months, the Rebbe a boy, at the time of his bris, participated in an international event, said, he had constantly been speaking and for a girl even earlier)! from which the Rebbe derived much “with a shturem” about uniting all The main thing in the army nachas. Jewish children throughout the world is to follow orders; the level During the same time period, under a common banner—Tzivos of comprehension is of no shluchim across the globe went door Hashem, and a common goal—to consequence! to door, school to school recruiting spread Yiddishkeit in their homes, (Shabbos parshas thousands of children and sending their surroundings, and beyond. Mattos-Massei 5747) their names to Tzivos Hashem

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 47 “...I thought long and hard about finding a way of inducing an American boy to get used to the idea of subordination to a higher authority, despite all the influence to the contrary.” WHY THE “ARMY”? For example, ‘spying missions,’ which Upon analyzation, Tzivos Hashem you mention in your letter as one of to. Moreover, for this method to be is a mivtza entirely unique to dor your objections, was categorically effective, it would be necessary that it hashvi’i. Almost every other mivtza excluded.” should be freely and readily accepted, that the Rebbe initiated was—on the But, the Rebbe writes, a question without coercion… surface—a simple mitzvah: put on remains: “Since the term ‘Tzivos ...“Thus, a ‘pilot’ Tzivos Hashem tefillin with someone; affix a mezuzah; Hashem’ would seem to some people was instituted. lt immediately proved light Shabbos candles. With Tzivos to smack of ‘militarism,’ what were the great success in getting the children Hashem, though, the Rebbe had overriding reasons that outweighed to do good things in keeping with designed an entire system of children’s such reservations, as you expressed in the motto v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha, programming, complete with your letter? Could not the same results coupled with love and obedience to emblems, ranks and uniforms. Why be achieved through other means or the ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of Tzivos was this all necessary? other methods? Hashem, namely Hashem Elokei In a letter to a rov from New York, “This brings us to the core of the HaTzeva’os. the Rebbe gave a fascinating overview problem. “The Tzivos Hashem campaign has of the deeper intent and strategy “As an educator, you know that a further reward, though not widely involved. children need motivation, but that applicable to Jewish children attending “...In [your letter],” the Rebbe is only one aspect of the problem. Hebrew schools...Children that might writes, “after kindly paying tribute to The most important aspect, in my be inclined to aggressiveness and the work of the Lubavitch movement, opinion, in this day and age, is the hence easy candidates for street gangs, you express your reservations about lack of kabbalas ol, not only of ol and the like, would have a positive the ‘Tzivos HaShem’ Campaign, on malchus Shamayim, but also general outlet by diverting their energy in the the grounds that it is based ‘on the submission to authority… right direction... glorification of the military and an “...Since, as mentioned, the root of “...Our experience with Tzivos aggrandizement of arms, wars and the problem is the lack of kabbalas ol, Hashem—wherever the ideas has battlefields.’” I thought long and hard about finding been implemented in the U.S.A. and After pointing out that Tzivos a way of inducing an American boy to Canada, Eretz Yisroel and in many Hashem is a title from the Torah, get used to the idea of subordination parts of the world—has completely and that although Torah does not to a higher authority, despite all the convinced us of its most successful glorify militarism or war, it also does influence to the contrary. positive results, with no negative side- not shy away from it, the Rebbe said “I came to the conclusion that effects whatever. I can only hope that that much caution had been used in there was no other way than trying it would be adopted in other sectors, this area. “Careful consideration was to effect a basic change in the boy’s outside of Lubavitch, in growing given to using a minimum of military nature, through a system of discipline numbers. trappings, and only such as would be and obedience to rules which he “I trust that the above lines consistent with the spirit of the Torah. can be induced to get accustomed will not only put to rest all your

ADAR 5777 48 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER apprehensions concerning Tzivos < “HAREINI MEKABEL” > Hashem, but will also place you in AND “ACH TZADDIKIM” the company of the many prominent At the Farbrengen of Yud Tes Kislev 5744, the Rebbe spoke about the educators and spiritual leaders who importance of Yidden including the Pessukim “Hareini Mekabel” and have enthusiastically acclaimed the “Ach Tzaddikim” in Davening. The day before the next scheduled rally— Tzivos Hashem operation as uniquely on Chanukah—the staff of Tzivos Hashem received a message from the successful in attaining its desirable Rebbe; at the rally the next day, the children should be given a sticker go a l.” with the Pessukim on them, a Tzivos Hashem emblem and an empty THE REBBE’S ARMY space to add their names and addresses. The far-reaching effects of Tzivos “Thirty years ago was nothing like today,” Rabbi Yosef Katzman says. Hashem can be felt throughout “To do such a thing was mind boggling. We were up the entire night the Jewish world until today. In printing, sticking, and cutting. We continued working through the addition to the actual program itself, morning, and when the rally began, we still hadn’t finished. I remember it brought an entirely new focus on running into the rally and giving the stickers to the ones in charge. children and their needs, with Tzivos Rabbi Benjaminson relates: “After the rally was over, Rabbi Groner Hashem pioneering many children’s called me over and told me that the Rebbe had said the following [in activities which today are taken for translation from Yiddish]: “When I asked them to make the stickers, granted, including the Jewish fairs and I imagined how it would look. I didn’t think that it would look so expositions. The Hachai publishing beautiful.” The Rebbe was very happy when he said this. house, and more, are also a result of Later on, it was discovered that the Rebbe had placed the sticker into this. his own siddur. LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 9782 THE REBBE ENCOURAGES THE SINGING AT A TZIVOS HASHEM RALLY, 18 TISHREI 5747.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 49 LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 206794

CHILDREN STAND NEARBY AS THE REBBE DAVENS AT THE AMUD, VOV TISHREI 5743.

But more than anything else, Although, as the Rebbe noted many even more importantly, the Rebbe the Rebbe personally built an army times, the content of the sichos to relayed an attitude: that a soldier does from the ground up, an army that children is equally applicable to adults, not give in to fear or peer pressure; educated hundreds of thousands— the style is like nothing else. The that with true effort, challenges can even millions—of children to fight Rebbe spoke to the children in their always be overcome; that every soldier Hashem’s war into adulthood, without language, from their world, describing has a responsibility to others. shirking from challenges. in detail their childish but very real Every child has the opportunity to The Rebbe continued talking about challenges, and encouraging them to join the army and participate in the Tzivos Hashem—and addressing overcome them. The Rebbe vividly programming, and to influence other rallies—throughout the years, and described the arguments of the yetzer children, whether frum or not, to join the amount of hours and energy he hara at these ages—whether jealousy, as well. invested in this cannot be estimated. selfishness, laziness, etc.—and Parents, too, have the opportunity provided strategies to prevail. Perhaps and obligation to sign up their

ADAR 5777 50 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER C. B. HALBERSTAM via JEM 101557 HALBERSTAM C. B. THE GENERALS OF TZIVOS HASHEM LEAD THE PROCESSION AT THE LAG B’OMER PARADE, 5750.

6. 20 Shevat 5741; Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 1. Sichos Kodesh 5740 vol 3 p. 994-995 327-328 2. In 5736, the Rebbe gave a similar horaah, 7. Yud Tes Kislev 5742, sicha 4 asking that the children fill in the names of the 8. Chol Hamoed Sukkos 5741; Sichos Kodesh children they influenced to study the pesukim vol. 1 p. 180 on an additional empty page (see above 9. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 mentioned article). p. 629 3. This project was later given over to Rabbi 10. 28 Tishrei 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 Dovid Pape. The Rebbe edited dozens of the p. 314 covers throughout the years, and showed tremendous interest in the magazine; this 11. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 subject is too broad for this forum and will be p. 628 the subject of a future article iy”h. 12. Chanukah 5741; Sichos Kodesh 5741 vol 1 4. Chol Hamoed Sukkos 5741; Sichos Kodesh p. 630 vol. 1 p. 179 13. 15 B’Shevat 5741 Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 5. Ibid. 260 14. 20 Shevat 5741; Sichos Kodesh vol 2 p. 330 children, and to explain to them their special mission as soldiers, how the Rebbe invested so much time and effort in establishing this special program for them, addressing them on countless occasions. The children SIGN UP should be reminded that in addition to Tzivos Hashems’s critical importance in education (see above), every child that joins, and especially those that NOW! rise in the ranks, is participating in the www.TzivosHashem.org/kids/THSignUp.asp Rebbe’s program, and he surely derives much nachas.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 51 AT RALLIES OVER THE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TZIVOS HASHEM, THE REBBE ELABORATED ON THE UNIQUE HIERARCHY AND SET-UP OF THE ARMY OF HASHEM.

A NEW LEXICON WAS INTRODUCED TO DESCRIBE THE WAR ON THE YETZER HARA:

• THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF: Hashem.

• THE BOOK OF ORDERS: the Torah.

• THE ORDER OF THE DAY: the lesson in Torah specifically for this time, often from the daily shiur Chumash.

• SPECIAL MISSION: a special shlichus or mitzvah.

• MILITARY PARADE: a rally for strengthening Torah and mitzvos and giving prizes to those who excelled. These should include elements of Torah, avodah, and gemilus chassadim, through reciting the Twelve Pesukim, davening a tefilla, and giving coins to tzedakah.

LAG B’OMER 5750, LEVI FREIDIN via JEM 241906

THE REBBE ALSO SET DOWN SEVERAL BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR EACH SOLDIER IN THE ARMY:

YAGAATA U’MATZASA: LOVE YOUR FELLOW AS YOURSELF: with proper effort every child encourage as many children will surely succeed in the war as possible to join. against the yetzer hara.

UTZU EITZA VESUFAR/ WE WANT MOSHIACH NOW:

MIPI OLELIM VEYONKIM: every child must be infused with the children are the ones who will the yearning for Moshiach. foil the evil designs of our enemies.

ADAR 5777 52 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER THE REBBE EXPLAINED THAT TZIVOS HASHEM MUST WAGE WAR LIKE A REGULAR ARMY, AND THAT, IN FACT, THE REASON THAT HASHEM MADE PHYSICAL ARMIES IN A SPECIFIC WAY WAS IN ORDER TO TEACH US HOW HASHEM’S ARMY MUST FUNCTION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REBBE POINTED OUT SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM.

1. One of the fundamental principles of an army means that, by now, the army is huge, still new is that it is very serious; it may be exciting, but children are needed to join the ranks of Tzivos it’s not a game. So too, the children in Tzivos Hashem, in order to complete the mission in the 9 Hashem must know that this army is no child’s quickest way possible. play. Hashem mobilized this army and depends The army provides all of its soldiers’ needs— on the soldiers to win His war.4 7. food, drink, clothing, and housing. So, too, when 2. Another military principle is that orders are the children fight the war against the yetzer hara, obeyed without question. When a child knows Hashem will provide them and their parents that there is an order from his Commander-in- with everything they need: health, happiness, Chief, Hashem, he must have kabbalas ol and strength, food and drink, and a bright home. follow it whether he understands the reasoning This will enable them to achieve victory even 10 or not.5 faster and better.

3. A soldier never forgets that he is on a mission. 8. Difference:In an army, as time passes and the A child must always remember that he is on challenges change, the weaponry and tactics a mission from Hashem, and he must utilize must be updated as well. In Tzivos Hashem, everything he does and everywhere he goes to however, Hashem gave us a type of weapon— further this objective.6 Torah and mitzvos—that is effective in every single situation, in all generations.11 4. If a person underwent true military training, it will be evident in everything he does—the way 9. Difference:One of the biggest differences: in they walk down the street, the way they eat, and the military, wars are won through fighting. even the way they sleep. So too, it must always be In Tzivos Hashem, we wage our wars with evident on the child that he is part of Hashem’s light, through illuminating ourselves and army. 7 our surroundings with the light of Torah and mitzvos.12 5. In the military, a soldier may never drop a mission, even if he’s ready to accept the 10. Difference: In an ordinary army, women are not punishment for doing so, because everything he included. However, this is a war commanded by does has an effect on the army as a whole, and Hashem, a milchemes mitzvah, in which women his decision will harm everyone. So too, a child and girls must participate, even a kallah from must know that his actions affect the Yidden as under her chupa. Furthermore, by matan Torah, a whole, and if he does something wrong, it may the women were put before the men. Therefore, bring danger to the entire Jewish nation.8 girls must realize their responsibility not only as soldiers on their own, but as the trailblazers for 6. In the effort of securing the homeland, the the boys.13 military often has specific missions and goals, and new soldiers are recruited to help complete 11. Difference:In the military, the Commander-in- them. The mission of this generation—the past Chief is far away from the ordinary soldier. But few years in particular—is to bring Moshiach. Hashem—our Commander-in-Chief—stands by Therefore, although all the Torah and mitzvos every single child as he fights the yetzer hara and that have been done throughout the past assists him, giving him the strength to conquer 14 generations have an everlasting effect, which the entire world.

ADAR 5777 A CHASSIDISHER DERHER 53