The Light of Shabbat, the Light of Redemption, In Honor of Moshe Rabbeinu

7th of Adar - A Significant Day

7th of Adar. The birthday and passing day of Moshe Rabbeinu, peace be upon him, may his merit protect us. A holy and fitting date. The day that for thousands of years, the people of Israel have marked as the "day the house was filled with light." A day when the father of the prophets was born, the bearer of Torah, the savior of Israel, and whose soul encompassed all the souls of the children of Israel. He who spoke with the Creator of the World, the King of Kings, as one speaks to a friend, and his day of passing is the day "of the blessing with which Moshe, the man of Hashem, blessed the children of Israel."

On this day, Moshe, the faithful shepherd, departed, and Hashem in His glory and majesty tended to his burial. For several years now, this has been the great day to which thousands of children prepare themselves by learning and reviewing the stringent laws of Shabbat.

Shabbat Laws - Among the Most Important in Judaism

Not many know, but the laws of Shabbat have several points that distinguish them from other laws. The most known is the fact that we deal with the light of Shabbat. And as Hashem said: "I have a good gift in my treasury, and its name is Shabbat." But the Yaarot Dvash writes a very serious thing, that anyone who does not learn the laws of Shabbat is "guaranteed to desecrate Shabbat, God forbid."

But the great and sublime light that emanates from Shabbat the Queen, is also not given without learning the laws of Shabbat. Our holy sages teach us, "If Israel were to keep two Shabbats, they would immediately be redeemed." In other words, the observance of Shabbat is the light of redemption and the light of the Messiah. Without learning the laws of Shabbat, how can we merit observing Shabbat?

Children of Israel: The Guarantors of Torah

Who is as important to us as the children of Israel, in whose merit the Torah was given to the people of Israel? As the Midrash in Shir HaShirim states: "When Israel stood to receive the Torah, He (Hashem) said to them, "Bring me good guarantors that you will uphold it, and I will give it to you." The children of Israel proposed several "guarantors," but Hashem did not agree to them until Israel said, "Our children will be our guarantors," and immediately Hashem accepted them and gave the Torah to Israel. Here we see the importance of the Torah of the children of Israel, in whose merit all the people of Israel are blessed with the Torah.

There is another important aspect to teaching children, which is the youthful learning. A child who learns absorbs the teachings not only in his mind, but into his entire essence. Childhood habits are the most significant and important thing that accompanies us throughout our lives. Therefore, a child who is privileged at a young age to learn and implement the laws of Shabbat, acquires an eternal foundation that sanctifies him with the holiness of Shabbat and illuminates his entire life with the light of Shabbat.

Simchat Moshe Rabbeinu: A Strong Bond Endures

The holy organization "Simchat Moshe Rabbeinu" was established by Rabbi Moshe Sagron to elevate the soul of Moshe Rabbeinu, the teacher of Torah and Shabbat to the people of Israel, and also to elevate the soul of his son, the youth Yosef ben Miriam Sagron of blessed memory, who passed away on the eve of Shabbat, with the burial occurring right before the onset of Shabbat. The light and sanctity of that Shabbat were the greatest comfort for Rabbi Sagron and his family. It was then that he conceived the important and grand idea of how to bring more Jews to the sanctity of Shabbat.

The great rabbis of Israel, both of blessed memory and may they be distinguished for long life, and foremost among them Maran the adornment of the generation Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, love and appreciate the organization's activities like no other. Rabbi Zamir Cohen even recounted how, towards the end of Rabbi Ovadia's life, despite his great weakness, and hardly leaving his home even for Torah events, he did not forgo the public exams of the "Simchat Moshe Rabbeinu" organization. And great gratification appeared on his face when he spoke and strengthened the thousands of children of Israel who had reviewed the laws of Shabbat.

The Simchat Moshe Rabbeinu organization operates a daily study program in schools and Talmud Torahs, where children learn, review, and are tested on the laws of Shabbat. Alongside this, subjects like manners, road safety, and laws about guarding the tongue have been added to the curriculum. In the future, based on Rabbi Zamir Cohen's recommendation, laws of honoring parents will also be included. Furthermore, they plan to introduce the important laws of blessings.

In these subjects, children will have the opportunity to write a special article on these topics, following the source references found in the organization's study booklets. A special emphasis is placed on having children write the articles together with their parents, friends, or family, all to magnify and glorify the Torah and raise awareness of these laws' importance.

Additionally, in every school, there will be a winning article that will be printed in a special booklet in honor of the hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu. The children will also receive certificates and valuable prizes. It is important to emphasize that writing the articles is not necessarily dependent on a school's participation in the Shabbat law study program, as any student can join and submit their article.

The Hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu

The 7th of Adar, the great hilula of Moshe Rabbeinu, peace be upon him, has received much attention in recent years. The organization's great public test is held specifically on this holy and auspicious day, the 7th of Adar. This year, it will be held in the city of Beersheba.

This year, there will be a blessed change in the program. Unlike previous years, when many children labored and did not reach the final stages, this year every school participating in the program will be able to send its "school champion," who excels among all the children of the school. And each champion, without exception, will receive a certificate and a special gift. Thus, there will be many more champions and winners than in previous years.

Imagine a Jewish mother, what excitement you feel every Friday night as you close your eyes in prayer for your children. How much more so when you close your eyes, thinking about the merit you have to welcome Shabbat as your precious son learns the laws of Shabbat.

Dear school principal, you hold enormous power in your hands. "Like arrows in the hands of a heroic warrior, so are the children of youth." The arrows of war are in your hands. All the merits by which we seek to protect the people of Israel spiritually and physically are in your hands alone. Join the school principals who have incorporated the "Simchat Moshe Rabbeinu" curriculum into their schools.

Contact Rabbi Moshe Sagron today at phone: 0534202617 or on the organization website: https://hidonshabat.co.il