For years, the  Rebbe encouraged communities to hold children’s rallies in honor of Chamisha Asar B’Shvat. He even noted a minhag to end learning in Cheder early on this day and make a special gathering for the children. On one occasion, the Rebbe voiced dismay that despite his prior instructions, the idea of a 15 Shevat rally for children had been largely ignored. This year, the Chabad community of Kingston, PA took that message to heart, organizing a grand Chamisha Asar B’Shvat Tzivos Hashem rally that would undoubtedly bring the Rebbe nachas.

Over three hundred parents and children assembled at the Cheder Sheni Shul in Kingston, PA for a special rally marking Chamisha Asar B’Shvat. The event doubled as a Siyum Sefer Hamitzvos. The large turnout during mid-winter break ensured a “berov am” celebration, truly fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision for the day.

From the moment families walked in, the atmosphere was one of excitement and simcha. Lively music played as the children entered, and a beautiful banner displayed prominently at the front of the shul proclaimed “Siyum Sefer Hamitzvos.” Each place was neatly set with a pekel of nosh and fruit, along with a moreh shiur for the upcoming cycle and a 12 Pesukim booklet, giving every child the tools to continue learning.  

The rally opened with the children energetically reciting pesukim of Torah aloud together. Rabbi Leibel Goldfarb, who served as emcee, spoke passionately about lessons from Chamisha Asar B’Shvat and tied them to the importance of children studying Sefer Hamitzvos.

The highlight of the evening was the siyum itself. The final shiur of Sefer Hamitzvos was read aloud by young Yossi Backman, marking the completion of the entire Sefer. The momentum continued as the crowd dove straight into the next cycle: the first shiur of Sefer Hamitzvos was read on the spot, with Uri Baumgarten leading the way.

Adding to the excitement, master ventriloquist Rabbi Yisroel Silverstein treated the crowd to a lively, humorous, and toichendik performance. His puppet “Shleikis” had the children (and adults too) roaring with laughter, tossing out funny jokes while weaving in upbeat, positive messages.

Before the rally concluded, Rabbi Yehudah Green addressed the young Tzivos Hashem troops, urging everyone to join the next cycle of daily mitzvah study. He reminded them (and their parents) that many resources are now available to make learning Sefer Hamitzvos easy and enjoyable as a family, such as SeferHamitzvos.org and Chitas for Kids.

Rabbi Yitzchok Roness, the event’s organizer, expressed that the sight of hundreds of boys and girls celebrating a Siyum Sefer Hamitzvos together and immediately embarking on the next go-around surely “made the Rebbe happy,” answering his call in the most vibrant way.

The Rebbe’s own words regarding Sefer Hamitzvos:

The Rambam chose to write Sefer Hamitzvos in Arabic, the spoken language of the Yidden in his time, so that it would be a sefer accessible to everyone, including children. In fact, the Rebbe pointed out that Sefer Hamitzvos holds certain advantages even over the study cycle of 3 perakim per day, as it includes sources for each halacha that the Rambam regretted not incorporating in Mishna Torah.