Weekly Story: Bar Mitzvah

Rabbi Sholom DovBer Avtzon

I am sharing a thought that I mentioned at the bar mitzvah celebration of my grandson Levi Yitzchok sheyichye Altein. Your feedback is always appreciated.

It is well known that by the Rebbe’s bar mitzvah, his father HaRav Levi Yitzchok asked him to promise him something and the Rebbe cried. Only after some time did he give his father the promise he requested. 

This is not the time or place to reveal exactly what he was requested to promise especially as Rebbetzin Chana writes that she wasn’t informed of the details, (meaning it is not to be publicized), yet I can give the concept behind it.

Levi, you and your classmates all know the first line of chapter one of the Tanya, that before the neshoma enters the body, it is instructed to swear that it will fulfill Hashem’s will and not go against it.

Chassidus explains that the word of Mashpiin not only has the meaning of making the neshoma swear but it also means it is being given the strength   and ability to carry through on this promise, notwithstanding the obstacles it may encounter.  

Our chazal teach us that only part of the neshoma enters when the infant was born, the other part enters when he becomes bar mitzvah and becomes obligated in fulfilling the mitzvos.

So at that time, HaRav Levi Yitzchok asked and demanded that the Rebbe swear something similar to the shavua that every neshoma swears when it enters the world.

The question may be asked, why did he do it in public by the seudas bar mitzvah and not in the privacy of his study?

The Rebbe explained in a sicha that when one accepts upon themselves a hachlata (resolution), it is with the desire to carry through on it. Yet, there are times that it becomes difficult to do so. Life changes and new situations arise etc. 

However, the Rebbe continues, that when you accepted it in public that gives one the fortitude to carry on even in face of these challenges that he might have not envisioned.

So Levi Yitzchok as you celebrate your bar mitzvah, this is a time to make the hachlata that you are dedicating yourself to do the aibishter’s desire, always conducting yourself as a chassidishe bochur, fulfill the takanos of Chitas and Rambam, setting an example and making your parents proud.

May this usher in the era of yemois HaMoshiac speedily in our days and together with our Rebbe we will go out of this golus to the third Beis HaMikdash speedily in our days.

Rabbi Avtzon is a veteran mechanech and the author of numerous books on the Rebbeim and their chassidim. he can be contacted at avtzonbooks@gmail.com