7th of Adar - Hilulat HaHachamim
Kol Israel Haverim
https://hilullathachamim.kiah.org.il/
It may be said, as is known, that each person received his portion of the Torah at Sinai, and now, after the generations have multiplied, the Torah of several of the sages of Israel has almost been forgotten. No one knows and no one remembers, and for some of them even the day of their passing is unknown to us, and no candle is lit in the elevation of their souls. We have the responsibility and the privilege to unite all of Am Israel, to continue to learn from their Torah and thereby to revive their wisdom. In Hilulat HaHachamim, we increase the blessing, and may the merit of the sages be upon us, upon our homes, and upon all the people of Israel.
Every generation and every righteous person and sage who engages in Torah study, the soul of Moses our Teacher spreads within him.
The 7th of Adar Initiative
We chose the 7th of Adar, the day of the birth and passing of Moses our Teacher, the first and greatest leader of the Jewish people, as a day to increase the study of the Torah of the sages, and as a day to mention the names of the sages of Israel whose day of passing is unknown to us. A day of study and commemoration among communities, groups, families, and circles in Israel and around the world. A day that will connect the entire people to the power of the leadership of the sages of Israel, from whom one can learn the wisdom in Jewish culture.
The learning done on the day of Hilulat HaHachamim is suitable for all age groups and for all sectors of the population. The learning will take place in communities, in families, in synagogues, in school classrooms, in student gatherings, in youth activities, in various workplaces, and in any circle or group that wishes to give voice to those who have passed, to enrich, to be blessed, and to deepen their learning.
Events and Study Content
The study content for Hilulat HaHachamim will be learned from “HeHacham HaYomi – an online database of Sephardic Jewish Sages and their teachings, created by Alliance: Kol Israel Haverim. The options available to those who wish to learn are many and varied, and at the disposal of event organizers and study groups will be a learning kit that includes: explanatory sheets, examples for study, a Hilula card, and activity cards. The kit and the events will appear on a designated website for the initiative and will enable a challenging and interesting learning experience.
Event leaders will be able to invite the public to participate in Hilulat HaHachamim, and during the events the learners will be able to share and upload to the initiative’s website photos, videos, and personal and communal stories from the event.
And the soul of Moses will sparkle within the soul of Israel, for they are all one body.
"It is our custom to light a yahrzeit candle in honor of the memory of the Sages, as it is said: “the life breath of man is the lamp of the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27). And it is good to add from the light of the Torah to the light of the candle, as it is said “For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light” (Proverbs 6:23). And it is good to increase the teaching of the Sage on the anniversary of his death, as Rabbi Yochanan based on the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said, “Each scholar whose sayings are taught in this world, his lips speak from the grave (Bechorot 31B).”
“Even if all of the skies are a blank parchment, and all human beings are clerks, and all of the forests are quills, we would never be able to write down what our Sages have taught us. But even a few righteous are also good, and thanks to the sacred Torah and the teachings that Israel will learn in the Sage’s name on the anniversary of his death, the Holy One Blessed be He, will share our part with them, and we will never be ashamed because of our faith in the Holy One Blessed be He, and on his great benevolence and truth will we lean, for He hides his abundant goodness for those who are worthy and revere Him.”
Rabbi Chananaia son of Akashia stated, God wanted to grant merits to Israel, therefore he gave them many laws and commandments as it states, "Because God wants righteousness he increased the amount of Torah and splendor." (Isaiah 42:21).