During these days, during the Temple period, a special excitement enveloped the entire nation. The pilgrimage that year was at its peak, and everyone was looking forward to the special occasion that occurs once every seven years – the occasion of the 'Kehel'.
This ceremony took place during the Feast of Tabernacles. Men, women, and children would gather at the Temple and the king would read from the Torah scroll, in order to inspire the people to "fear the Lord" and strengthen them in keeping the Torah and its commandments.
In the name of this mitzvah, the entire year is called the "Year of the Khel.".
Although the Third Temple has not yet been built and we are unable to fulfill the commandment of 'Hakel' literally, this commandment exists even now, in its spiritual and conceptual meaning.
This year gives us special strength to strengthen ourselves in the fear of God, in the study of the Torah and in the observance of its commandments, in the love of Israel and in the unity of Israel, in the spirit of the commandment of the "congregation.".
Two main motifs
The Lubavitcher Rebbe called for living the entire year inspired by this idea. How do you do 'Hakel' all year long? The commandment of 'Hakel' expresses two important motifs:
A) The unity of the people of Israel. All the people, men, women, and children, united together, and came to accept as one man with one heart to be strengthened in the fear of God and in the observance of His Torah and commandments.
b) Strengthening the Torah and the commandments. The purpose of the gathering was to awaken the hearts of the people to fear God and to strengthen the Torah and its commandments, as the Torah itself defines the purpose: "That they may hear and learn, and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this Torah.".
The sublime occasion, in which the entire nation stands and accepts it to be strengthened in the fear of God and in the observance of His Torah and commandments, would leave a deep impression on the souls of all participants and stir their hearts for the entire coming year and the years to come.
Hence, this year, special emphasis should be placed on these two aspects: uniting and strengthening our unity, and strengthening ourselves in observing the Torah and its commandments. These are two central points that should be at the forefront of our minds this year.
You are also a king.
Although we do not have a temple and we do not have a king, we are all required to implement the basic idea of 'the congregation' within the frameworks that are appropriate for us.
Anyone who is a 'king' in his own setting – a father in his family, a rabbi in his community, an educator in his classroom, a principal in his institution, and anyone who has influence over the public – should strive this year to influence in the spirit of the two aforementioned motifs among those subject to his influence.
The Rebbe called on every Jew of influence (and those who have no influence whatsoever) to gather from time to time the public close to him (family members, students, employees, neighbors, friends, etc.), and within the framework of the gathering to inspire the participants to strengthen themselves in the unity of Israel and in the observance of the Torah and the mitzvot, each according to his rank and status.
This year is therefore a special year, with special virtues and special blessings. When each and every one of us does the 'congregation' in the framework closest to him, we will merit that God, the Blessed, will also do the great and general 'congregation' – "a great multitude will return here" – in the complete redemption very soon.
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