This year, following the Sabbatical year, is called the "Year of the Congregation." During the time of the Temple, the commandment of "the congregation" was observed during the Feast of Sukkot in this year - men, women, and children would gather in the Temple and hear the king read the Torah, in order to inspire them to "fear the Lord" and strengthen them in keeping the Torah and its commandments.
Nowadays we cannot fulfill the commandment of 'the congregation' literally, in the Temple, but in its spiritual and conceptual meaning, this commandment exists even now.
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 and unity of Israel, in the spirit of the commandment of the "congregation.".
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Two motifs
In the commandment of "the congregation," two central motifs were expressed:
A) The unity of the people of Israel. All the people, men, women, and children, united together in this situation 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 be strengthened in the observance of the Torah and its commandments. The sublime occasion, in which the entire people stood as one and accepted 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 those present and would stir their hearts for the entire coming year and the years to come.
Hence, this year we must place special emphasis on these two aspects: coming together and strengthening our unity, and strengthening our observance of the Torah and its commandments. These are two central points that should be at the forefront of our minds this year.
Although we do not have a temple and we do not have a king, we are all required to apply the basic idea of the "audience" in the frameworks that are appropriate for us. Just as the king would stir the hearts of the people, so everyone who is a "king" in his own framework - a father in his family, a rabbi in his community, an educator in his classroom, a principal in his institution, and anyone with influence over any public - should strive this year to act in the spirit of the two aforementioned motifs, among those subject to his influence.
And in practical terms: It is highly advisable for every influential Jew (and those who do not have any influence) to make an effort this year 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 the unity of Israel and the observance of the Torah and the mitzvot, each according to his rank and status.
According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe's suggestion, it would be very useful for such a gathering to be held at least once a month.
Ensuring the future of the people
These two elements are what we lack most in this period. We need to strengthen unity among all segments of the people, and to curb the growing trends of disintegration and division of hearts. No less importantly, we need to strengthen the connection of all of us to God, His Torah and His commandments, which alone can ensure the future and prosperity of the Jewish people.
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 congregation will return here" – with the coming of our righteous Messiah very soon.
