The Sale of Mitzvos on Shabbos Bereishis

INTRODUCTION

Many congregations have the custom to sell the Mitzvos that will be performed in their synagogues in the course of the coming year. These include Aliyos – summons to the reading of the Torah, Hagbah – lifting the opened Torah, Gelilah – regirding the closed Torah, Pesichah – opening the Ark, Ner LaMa'or – financing the Shul's lighting, Yayin – sponsoring wine for Kiddush and Havdalah ceremonies and so on.41

Shabbos Bereishis acts as a bridge between the spiritually-charged month of Tishrei and the rest of the year; by selling the Mitzvos on this Shabbos we permeate the coming year's worth of worldly involvement with the awareness that the very purpose of our re-entry into commerce and money-making is only to enable us to 'acquire' Mitzvos – to support a Shul or Yeshivah, Torah and Mitzvos.

Further, as preparation for our divine service of transforming the world into a 'dwelling' for Hashem, we begin the year by strengthening and donating to the Shul – which constitutes a mini-Beis Hamikdash; a house where the Divine Presence ‘dwells.'

Lastly, Shabbos Bereishis is also Shabbos Mevarchim Marcheshvan; and since we are currently preparing for the Third Beis Hamikdash – which Hashem will consecrate in the month of Marcheshvan – we sell the Mitzvos in support of a Shul [a mini-Beis Hamikdash].42

MITZVAH BID

• The procedure of 'Selling the Mitzvos' is such that the would-be purchasers compete for the highest bid to obtain the rights to a particular Mitzvah. The money of the winner, i.e., the highest bidder, goes towards the needs of the Shul and [where applicable] study hall.41

THE POWER OF A GABBAI

• The regular practice [in 770] is for the Gabai of the Shul to sell the Mitzvos. He wears a Shtreimel whilst doing so, in order to emphasis the quality and importance associated with the position of Gabai;43 it is due to the prominence of his position hall of the Rebbe, the Leader of our generation! that he holds the power to rouse the congregation to donate their money for the needs of the Shul.44

COMPETE FOR THE HONOR OF DONATING

• One of the ways in which a Gabai motivates the congregation is via his public announcements.45 In this case, by announcing the figures and naming the buyers, he employs the benefits of competitive donating, spurring the congregants to increase their planned donation to the Shul; indeed, 'all who increase are praiseworthy!'44

QUALITY CARGO

• The Gabai should make certain to follow the conduct of vendors and to praise his merchandise. [In 770,] for a start, we are selling the 'rights' to Mitzvos that will be performed in the Shul and study hall of the Leader of our generation – wherein he prayed, studied and so forth...46

40 Positive pressure This matter is further advanced when we discuss [our activities] with someone else, or with many other Jews, since, as we have mentioned on numerous occasions, that accepting a resolution in public lends it greater weight. (Parshas Bereishis 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.293) See there at length.

41 Parshas Bereishis 5750, Concerning the Sale of Mitzvos; Hisvaaduyos p.294.

42 The festive month of Cheshvan Our Sages state that the construction of the First Beis Hamikdash was completed in the month of Marcheshvan but its inauguration was postponed (by Heaven) for twelve months; it was inaugurated in the following Tishrei [and the month Marcheshvan ‘lost' its only chance of hosting a festive occasion]. Therefore, Hashem will in the future 'repay' Marcheshvan by inaugurating the Third Hamikdash then. (Parshas Bereishis 5750; Hisvaaduyos p.294-6.) Beis Hamikdash now, celebration in Cheshvan Not that we will have to wait until the month of Marcheshvan [if the Third Mikdash arrives earlier] – but rather the Redemption will occur immediately and the Mikdash will obviously be ready and standing when Marcheshvan arrives. (ibid, footnote 22)

43 Appointed by Heaven This fact can be derived by obvious inference (Kal VeChomer) from the teaching [Berachos 52a] that ‘even [one's appointment to] the [menial] position of a well-watchman is ordained by Heaven!' Certainly, then, this is true of the appointment to the position of Gabai in a Shul or study hall – specifically to the Shul and study

44 Hashem's right hand Further, the name ‘Gabai' forms the [rearranged] acronym of [the prayer:] Anah BeKo'ach Gedulas Yeminchah, ‘Please, by the great power of Your right hand...' In other words, [the Gabai] receives power from ‘the greatness of Your right hand' and he holds the power to ... [See main text above for continuation]. Ibid. p.296. Not the time for humility ...In accordance with the directive ‘It is a Mitzvah to publicize those who perform Mitzvos.'

45 ...In accordance with the directive ‘It is a Mitzvah to publicize those who perform Mitzvos.'

46 Own a Mitzvah in the Rebbe's Shul ...During the last ten years that [the Previous Rebbe] lived in this world – 'holiness does not depart from its location'. (Parshas Bereishis 5749; Hisvaaduyos p.268) The main thing is the actual deed: As per the annual custom, we will now sell the Mitzvos that pertain to this Shul; this is the Shul and study hall of the Previous Rebbe, wherein he prayed, studied, engaged in Tzedakah distribution and acts of kindness and from which [location], during the last ten years of his life in this world, he disseminated all aspects of Torah, Mitzvos and the wellsprings of Chassidus throughout the entire globe. 'Holiness does not depart from its location' – on the contrary, it constantly increases until this very day with ever-greater strength. Clearly, then, all we have discussed is greatly amplified regarding the sale of Mitzvos in this Shul. (Parshas Bereishis 5750, concerning the Sale of Mitzvos; Hisvaaduyos p.296)