Hakhel: The Once-in-Seven-Years Mitzvah That Recreates Sinai

The mitzvah of Hakhel is a rare commandment: Once every seven years, all of Israel was commanded to gather together. It takes place on the second day of the festival of Sukkot, at the end of the Shemittah (sabbatical) year.

What Took Place During Hakhel

In the Beit HaMikdash, the people who came up for the pilgrimage would hear the words of the Torah read by the king. When the time for Hakhel arrived, the Kohanim would sound the trumpets, and all the people would assemble in Jerusalem. A large wooden platform was built in the Women’s Courtyard, and upon it the king sat and read selected passages from the book of Devarim.

According to the Rambam and Sefer HaChinuch, the goal is to inspire the nation in the performance of mitzvot and to strengthen within their hearts the awareness of the Torah, renewing their desire to observe its commandments with deep impression and enthusiasm.

Who is Obligated and Why

Men, women, children, and converts. The Talmud in Chagigah explains: “Men come to learn; women come to listen; why do the little children come? In order to reward those who bring them.”

The Gemara tells the story of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah, whose mother would bring his cradle to the study hall “so that his ears would become attached to the words of Torah.” His teacher, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, praised her, saying, “Fortunate is she who raised him.”

What influence can a baby possibly receive in a study hall? A newborn cannot understand learning, and certainly not complex Torah debate. The answer is that even an infant senses the holiness around him.

The Sages therefore praised the generation that had Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, saying it was not an orphaned generation and “Fortunate are you, Abraham our father,” for from you came such a descendant — embodying the quality attributed to Avraham: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of Hashem…”

At Hakhel, the spiritual experience resembled the revelation at Mount Sinai, when the Jewish people heard directly from G-d, “I am Hashem your G-d.” When the king read the Torah in the Temple, the people relived that same awe of Matan Torah.

Allowing a baby or even a child with limited understanding, to experience a moment of “receiving the Torah” is the greatest merit for the parents. This is the heart of Hakhel, and why it includes even the infants. As it says: “Out of the mouths of infants and sucklings You have established strength.”

This also teaches us how deeply sacred words and holy environments influence small children — and how important it is to shield them from impure sights and speech.

May we merit this year to ascend to Jerusalem and fulfill the mitzvah of Hakhel in the rebuilt Third Temple.