By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive and Hasidic Archives
After his father’s passing in 1979, Rabbi Avrohom Yaakov Friedman ascended to the leadership of the Sadigura Hasidic dynasty, based in Israel.
One of the issues on his mind at the time was the slow population growth in Israel, which the government seemed to be encouraging by actively promoting family planning.
Eager to discuss the problem, Rabbi Friedman came to visit the Rebbe on June 18, 1980. Part of the difficulty, he told the Rebbe, was social stigma.
“The doctors make a mockery of families who have many children,” he said.
It seemed ironic that the Israeli government was willing to spend thousands of dollars on each immigrant, yet actively discouraged its citizens from having more than a few children.
“The government needs to be encouraged to give a greater allowance for each child that is born,” the Rebbe replied. This allowance should be given to all segments of the society and religions.
“They are also commanded [to have children],” the Rebbe said, quoting the verse (Isaiah 45:18): “For so said the L-rd, the Creator of heaven . . . Who formed the earth and made it . . . did not create it for a waste. He formed it to be inhabited.”
Taken aback, Rabbi Friedman asked why the Israeli government should encourage non-Jews to have children.
It is the Jews’ responsibility, the Rebbe said, to make sure that non-Jews are aware of and fulfilled their Torah obligations. By discouraging births, the government was discouraging them from fulfilling the G-d-given command of, “He formed it to be inhabited.”
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In lubavitch, unfortunately it seems to be the in thing to family plan.
Coming from a place where everyone around me is shocked that I haven’t used birth control and having kids back to back.
You’d think the one place where I would get support…
I get more support (encouraging words, compliments, emotional support) here on my shlichus (out of America) for my large family, then i did with my much smaller family while living in CH.
Could it be having a lot of children back to back is more than most ppl can handle? Could it be mothers are drowning under the weight of caring for a large family? Could it be bring overwhelmed is taking a toll on a mother’s mental and physical health and therefore, impacts the entire family? Could it be the Rebbe wasnt meaning for women to break under this burden, but rather to do the best they can, as they journey along their childbearing years? Just thinking that judging others for being on birth control might not be the derech of… Read more »
Could not have been said better!!!
Please do afford yourself the privilege of studying what The Rebbe encourages on this most important inyan – about the many healthy, happy children, mother and father. As soon as The Rebbe said the Sicha, 9 months later there were many many Sholom Zochors announced Friday night in 770 and every Friday night afterwards.
Moshiach Now!