Pru U'Revu (Be Fruitful and Multiply)

The mitzvah of Pru U'Revu is the first mitzvah written in the Torah, and it applies to both Jews and non-Jews. The mitzvah requires having at least one son and one daughter, but even after fulfilling this minimum requirement, one should continue having many more children according to Hashem's blessing. The Rebbe emphasizes the importance of fulfilling this mitzvah, especially in our generation, as a way to bring Moshiach, and strongly opposes limiting this mitzvah through family planning.

Source edit

The source of this mitzvah comes from Hashem's command to Adam HaRishon:

"And Hashem blessed them, and Hashem said to them: Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it" (Bereishis 1:28)

Parameters of the Mitzvah edit

The basic obligation of the mitzvah is to have at least one son and one daughter. However, even after having a son and daughter, the obligation continues, as the Rambam rules:

"Even though a person has fulfilled the mitzvah of Pru U'Revu, there is still a rabbinical obligation not to refrain from being fruitful and multiplying as long as one has the ability, for anyone who adds one Jewish soul is considered as if they built an entire world."

This obligation is learned from the posuk in Koheles:

"In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not rest your hand, for you do not know which will succeed, this or that, or if both are equally good" (Koheles 11:6)

There are several possible interpretations of the obligation from this posuk in Koheles. According to the Rambam's approach, the Rebbe explains that the posuk teaches us that the same Torah obligation of "Pru U'Revu" to have a son and daughter continues from divrei kabbalah (words of tradition) even afterward, as long as one has the ability to have additional children. Having additional children, although required by divrei kabbalah, still fulfills the positive Torah commandment of Pru U'Revu.

The Gemara speaks strongly against one who intentionally nullifies this mitzvah, including Ben Azai's statement that it is "as if one spills blood."

Importance of the Mitzvah edit

Pru U'Revu is the first mitzvah written in the Torah.

The Sefer HaChinuch writes that this mitzvah is more important than all other mitzvos because "through it all other mitzvos are maintained."

The Baalei Tosafos wrote that this mitzvah is greater than other mitzvos, as can be seen from the fact that although we don't tell someone to sin so that their fellow can merit, it is permitted to transgress the prohibition of freeing a Canaanite slave so they can fulfill Pru U'Revu.

Another aspect mentioned in the seforim is that this is the only mitzvah through which a person merits to be a partner with Hashem in creation.

The Rebbe pointed out that Adam HaRishon was created alone to teach that every Jew is an entire world, and therefore as long as there is possibility, a person should strive to establish another 'world'. He added that this is one of the five questions that the soul is asked in the Heavenly court after passing. The Rebbe further emphasized that they ask if you "engaged" in this, meaning that one must not only do it but must do it in a way of 'business', caring about it and investing in it. Furthermore, since the hastening of Moshiach's coming depends on fulfilling this mitzvah, which is the purpose of creation, one should put special effort into this mitzvah.

The Talmud Yerushalmi proves from the pesukim that Hashem cherishes this mitzvah even more than the building of the Beis HaMikdash.

Bringing the Geulah Closer edit

The Rebbe pointed out that even during the exodus from Mitzrayim, the geulah was achieved through the efforts of Jewish women who insisted on having children despite the difficulties and decrees. Similarly, regarding the future geulah, this mitzvah has a part in bringing the geulah closer, as the Gemara states: "Ben Dovid will not come until all the neshamos in the guf are finished." Rashi explains that there is a treasury of neshamos called "guf."

This is why the joy of a Jewish child's birth is not just a private celebration for their family and close ones, but for all of Klal Yisroel.

For this reason, there is an opinion in the Gemara that states even if one's children passed away, they have fulfilled the mitzvah of pru urvu, since they brought two neshamos into the world and brought the geulah closer. In halacha, we rule according to the second opinion, because practically other aspects of the mitzvah are still missing, which are "lasheves yetzara."

Encouraging Childbirth edit

The Rebbe spoke strongly about the obligation of the mitzvah of priyah v'rivyah, and against "family planning." Particularly, the Rebbe launched a broad campaign on this topic in the summer of 1980.

The Rebbe expressed that people of modern movements calling for family planning reverse the order and make darkness into light, claiming that blessing in the home depends on a small family, while the opposite is true: the greatest blessing is in having many children. It can be seen throughout the generations, when people lived normal lives - everyone knew and understood that another child is a blessing. However, since the approach of "family planning" began to spread - it brought tremendous damage and undermined relationships between husband and wife, causing many to need psychological treatments and the like. Therefore, it is absurd to actively reject one of the greatest blessings that Hashem gives to a person. Even if one has halachic justifications why it is permitted, if a person does a true cheshbon hanefesh about what is Hashem's will and where the desire for family planning comes from - they will undoubtedly reach the conclusion that they should strive to increase their family as much as possible, and since this is an act shared between parents and Hakadosh Baruch Hu, one must consider the opinion of the third partner, Hashem.

The Rebbe emphasized the importance of increasing childbirth especially in our generation, after the Holocaust that physically destroyed, Hashem yishmor, an important part of Am Yisroel, and as a way to bring Moshiach.

The Rebbe called to raise awareness at every opportunity about encouraging childbirth and rejecting family planning, and wondered why various gatherings don't address this fundamental issue. This topic should also be raised with non-Jews, who are also commanded on "lasheves yetzara," and moreover: when one influences the non-Jew, it will also affect the Jew himself.

The Rebbe even established a worldwide support network called 'Shifra and Puah,' aimed at assisting women giving birth and providing them with needed support to ease the birthing period and everything involved.

Advice and Guidance edit

Over the years, the Rebbe gave various advice and instructions to merit having children:

Spread the importance of observing taharas hamishpacha
Be particular to make havdalah specifically with wine
Serve as a sandek at a bris milah
Go out on the Rebbe's shlichus
Pay for shidduchim without delaying them
Be meticulous about kisui rosh with hiddur
Increase in unity among chassidim
Increase in hachnosas orchim as a segulah for having a son