Tzivos Hashem is marching proudly as it celebrates its FORTIETH birthday!
It was on Succos, exactly 40 years ago, that the Rebbe launched the idea of an organization for Jewish boys and girls under the age of Bar and Bas Mitzvah, that would lead the way for the Jewish people to greet Moshiach.
It was a very personal new campaign, and clearly meant a lot to the Rebbe.
He wrote in a letter, that he had thought “long and hard” about this idea, in order to address many of the problems confronting Jewish youth today, and the world in general.
The organization would be called Tzivos Hashem, which means the Army of G-d. The children in this “army” would be soldiers and officers. The Commander in Chief would be G-d Himself.
The Rebbe explained that Dovid HaMelech fought many wars and conquered many enemies of the Jewish people, but he wrote in his Book of Tehillim, that the strength and security of the Jewish people is founded upon the children. “From the mouths of babes and sucklings, You (Hashem) established strength to silence the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalms, 8:3)
This means that when Jewish boys and girls recite words of Torah and do Mitzvos with their pure hearts and minds which are free from sin, they assure the peace and well-being of our people.
Therefore the Rebbe stressed his heartfelt concern and wish that every Jewish boy and girl should be enrolled in Tzivos Hashem as soon as they were born. The Rebbe asked that every effort should be made to sign up children. He even used the Hebrew word ‘legayess,’ which means ‘to recruit’ every child at the first opportunity.
When a young child fell seriously ill, their parents were told to be sure that the child was in Tzivos Hashem. Once when a child was struck by a car outside 770, the Rebbe said they should make sure the child was enrolled in Tzivos Hashem. If they were already enrolled, the Rebbe said they should be promoted in rank, to add to the child’s ‘zechusim’ and hasten a speedy ‘refua shelaima.’ The Rebbe also stressed that every child should purchase a letter (or have a letter purchased for them) in The Sefer Torah for Children being written in Yerushalayim, as soon as they were born.
Of course, the soldiers in an army need weapons. In a regular army, the soldiers use weapons of destruction, but the weapons of Tzivos Hashem are good deeds and acts of kindness, Torah and Mitzvos that have nothing to do with hurting other people or shedding blood.
As an example, the Rebbe explained that the lulav which we use on Succos is instead of a rifle. The esrog is instead of bullets. The hadassim and arovos are instead of spears and knives. The Succa is like a military tent. When a child stands in the Succa and makes a brocha on the lulav and esrog, and gives them a little shake, happily waving “the four kinds” in all six directions, he sends a message of victory to the whole world:
We have engaged the Yetzer Hara, and been victorious!
“Didan Notzach!” Victory is ours!
Inspired by these words, Tzivos Hashem groups began starting up all over the country. Tens of thousands of children from all over signed up, sending in enthusiastic reports to earn more points and promotions in rank on their way to becoming generals in Hashem’s army.
There were parades and fairs and holiday rallies, newsletters and magazines, concerts and books and videos, and a host of new educational projects and materials, inspiring children and adults with excitement and enthusiasm for Torah and Mitzvos.
Fast forward 40 years from 1980 to 2020. Those first young recruits are now parents and grandparents, but Tzivos Hashem continues to inspire and educate their own children and grandchildren with original events and programs, such as Global Rallies and the international Chidon Mitzvos, and the Jewish Children’s Museum, and Chayolei Tzivos Hashem.
On its 40th anniversary, Tzivos Hashem marches on, proudly and happily, with acts of kindness and Ahavas Yisroel, the 12 Pesukim, the Rambam’s Book of Mitzvahs, and the 10 Mitzvah Campaigns, to greet Moshiach Now!
Children can be registered from birth in Tzivos Hashem at www.TzivosHashem.org, or by calling 718-467-0600.
Additionally, a letter in the Sefer Torah for Children can be purchased (for $1) at www.KidsTorah.org.
This year, 5781, promises to be a year of “incredible wonders,” Toff Shin Pelo’ois Arenu. Won’t it be wonderful to hear the Shofar blown b’ezras Hashem, in the Third Beis HaMikdosh with Moshiach Now!
Tekia! Shevarim! Terua! Tekia!
We want Moshiach Now!
When my kids were in tzivos Hashem (over 20 years ago) their points, missions etc were done with pen and paper and it was accessible to non lubavitcher kids too. I realise (now through my grandchildren) things have changed ie technology is now used via an app which controls the whole system of points, promotions etc.
Now doesn’t that exclude children from non lubavitch families, other chassidim or any frum children whose parents don’t want internet.
The Rebbe wanted Tzivos Hashem to be accessible to EVERY Jewish child.
Or have I missed something?