The Ten Mivtzoim are ten commandments that the Rebbe chose to emphasize and promote in order to awaken the people. This is the reason the name 'Mivtza' (campaign) was chosen, indicating a departure from routine.

The Rebbe's Mivtzoim
The Ten Mivtzoim
Tefillin · Torah · Mezuzah · Tzedakah · Bayis Molei Seforim · NeSHeK · Kashrus · Taharas Hamishpacha · Chinuch · Ahavas Yisroel
Various Mivtzoim
Mesibos Shabbos · Shofar · Lulav · Chanukah · Purim · Matzah · והשיב לב אבות על בנים · Lag BaOmer · Aseres Hadibros · אות בספר התורה לילדי ישראל · Ois B'sefer Torah Haklali . אות בספר תורה לחיילי צה"ל · Hakhel · Moshiach · Yom Huledes · הקהלת קהילות · הדפסת התניא · עידוד הילודה

Background

From the very beginning of his leadership, the Rebbe passionately engaged in spreading Judaism and the wellsprings of Chassidus, inscribing the motto 'Ufaratzta' on his banner.

In continuation of this, the Rebbe initiated these special 'Mivtzoim' (campaigns) to awaken Jews to perform practical commandments, being that 'one mitzvah leads to another mitzvah,' as a result of the great awakening that the Rebbe inspired.

These campaigns were carefully chosen by him, being 'general commandments' that should be observed with greater meticulousness and urgency than any other commandment, because the observance of these commandments by every Jew is more relevant to each individual Jew and to the entire Jewish people as a whole.

In one of the letters, the Rebbe connected the Ten Campaigns with what is written in Seforim, that the second letters of the names of the patriarchs Avraham, Yitzchok, and Yaakov (אברהם יצחק ויעקב) spell 'בצע,' which is related to the Ten Campaigns. The Rebbe explained that the main focus of these campaigns is the practical aspect, as it matches the root 'בצע,' which signifies conclusion and completion.

Stages of Foundation

The first campaign was 'Mivtza Tefillin,' which the Rebbe announced prior to the Six-Day War in 1967 (5727), as a spiritual merit for the salvation of the Jews in the Holy Land.

In the year 1971 (5731), the Rebbe announced 'Mivtza Torah.'

In the year 1974 (5734), the Rebbe announced the campaigns: 'Mivtza Mezuzah,' 'Mivtza Tzedakah,' 'Mivtza Bayis Molei Seforim,' 'Mivtza Neiros Shabbos Kodesh,'

In the year 1975 (5735), the Rebbe announced the campaigns: 'Mivtza Kashrus,' 'Mivtza Taharas Hamishpacha.'

In the year 1976 (5736), the Rebbe announced the campaigns: 'Mivtza Chinuch,' 'Mivtza Ahavas Yisroel and Achdus Yisroel.'

From then until the mid-'80s, in most gatherings, the Rebbe listed the Ten Mivtzoim. Later, the Mivtza of 'Ois B'sefer Torah' was also added.

Defense and Rescue Mivtzoim

In the year 1974 (5734), the 'Tzaddik from Ra'anana,' Rabbi Yitzchak Huberman, expressed that there would be bloodshed in Israel that year, when the year passed and nothing happened, he was asked to explain this, and he replied that, indeed he saw that this year was supposed to be very difficult for the Jewish nation, but in the merit of the Mivtzoim of the Rebbe which were announced throughout the year, the decree was annulled, and the bloodshed 'moved' to Cyprus, where a fierce war broke out following the Turkish army's invasion. The Rebbe, in his talks and letters, connected the campaigns themselves to protection and salvation, based on the teachings of our sages (רז"ל).

Additional Mivtzoim

See Also

  1. Sotah 21a.
  2. Brachos 6a.