The final countdown has reached its zenith. After a number of special weeks named after coins, remembrance, red heifers, and months, we have finally arrived at the big one. The crescendo of them all is Shabbos Hagadol. It is understandably a very special Shabbos, especially considering that in an age gone by; the Shabbos Hagadol Sermon was the only sermon of the year excepting the Shabbos Shuva Drasha. However, the title “Shabbos Hagadol “means that this Shabbos is perhaps the most important Shabbos of the year. What salient element makes this week greater than all other weeks?
Rabbi Shlomo Luria, also known as the Maharshal (1510-1574), suggests that just as Shabbos Nachamu, Shabbos Chazon, and Shabbos Shuva derive their unique names from the haftorah, Shabbos Hagadol does as well. In the haftorah of Shabbos Hagadol we read the prophesy of Prophet Malachi, “hinei anochi sholeach lachem es eliyahu hanavi lifnei bo yom H-shem hagadol v’hanorah. veheishiv leiv avos al bonim, veleiv bonim al avosom” (Malachi 3:23-24) "Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before the coming of the awesome, fearful day of the L-rd. And he will return the hearts of the fathers on the children and the hearts of the children on the fathers.” This prophesy is the concluding prophesy in the written Torah. The word “Hagadol” serves as the conclusion and closure for all the words of consolation from the prophets.
What is the message contained in the word “Hagadol”? Rabbi Eliezer of Beaugency (12th century, northern France) explains that the verse containing the word of Hagadol, is quite telling. The verse is referring to reconnecting parents and children. The first part of the verse states, “Veheishiv leiv avos al bonim.” [And he will return the hearts of the fathers on the children.]" Meaning, the Jewish parents teach their children the Torah and its laws, thereby bringing their children closer to G-d. (In the same vein as the commandments of, “teach them to your children" (Deut. 11:19) and "may they so teach their children" -Deut. 4:10). The second part of the verse states, " veleiv bonim al avosom [and reconcile children with parents.] This aspect is quite different from the first part of the verse. The message imparted is to for the child to inquire regarding the laws of G-d, (In the same vein as "Ask your father, he will inform you" -Deut. 32:7) and to hear the moral teachings of their parents. The underlying purpose is that the children will not present a balky back to the commandments, but rather will listen and learn the Torah of the Holy One, blessed be He, to be energetic and vigorous to stand in the Day of Judgment.
Essentially the message of the verse is not merely to engage in a peaceful reconciliation between parents and children. Rather the verse foretells a time in which parents and children will study Torah together and partake in the beauty of tradition in an intergenerational dialogue. Beginning with Shabbos Hagadol, we are being exhorted to focus on the big-ticket items. That is the role of transmission of the mesorah (tradition) from generation to generation by way of engaging our children in study.
In a very powerful article in the New York Times on April 4, 2001 in the education section, writer Richard Rothstein posited that the Pesach Seder is the trailblazer in the manner of true education tailored to each child. He pointed out that the emphasis on children during the Pesach Seder and the manner of relating in a personalized way to each child is something that the larger educational community should incorporate. His message is very well taken. Beginning with today, we are told to re-evaluate our parent-child relations. Shabbos Hagadol lays the groundwork for the Pesach Seder and exhorts us to spend quality time with our children transmitting our timeless heritage. The fruit of our labor is thus spelled out in the end of the Prophet Malachi’s prophesy of “v’heishiv leiv avos al banim v'leiv banim al avosam.” “And he will return the hearts of the fathers on the children and the hearts of the children on the fathers.”
May we merit to experience this speedily in our times. Amen.
