The 12 Pesukim

Early this morning, this project, "The 12 Pesukim – Thank You HaShem," came onto my path. Listening to the video, I instantly realized it was more than just a song. Fifty years ago, the Rebbe introduced "The 12 Pesukim"—the pesukim and sayings of our Sages, chosen specifically for Jewish children. Since then, hundreds of thousands of children have studied and recited them, keeping them close to their hearts. The Rebbe's Twelve is a course to become the parent your child(ren) is/are waiting for.

The Rebbe taught us that we don't need to be a great scholar or a rabbi to share wisdom. "If all you know is the letter א - alef, you should teach the letter א."

Sharing what we know is a reminder that every Jew has value, purpose, and knowledge to offer. A tiny spark is all you need to ignite a large flame.

1. Torah Tzivah

Torah tzivah lanu Moshe, morashah kehillat Yaakov — "The Torah that Moshe gave us is a heritage for the community of Yaakov." — Devarim 33:4.

The Torah was given to us through Moshe. Every single Jewish child—boy or girl—inherits the Torah. The Torah does not belong only to our Rebbes, rabbis, and scholars, but to every Jewish soul. Every Jew is a letter in the scroll. When there is one missing letter, the Torah is incomplete. Every Jewish person must learn Torah, each according to their own ability.

2. The Shema

Sh'ma Yisroel, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad. — Devarim 6:4.

The Shema teaches us that HaShem is One. The word Echad (אחד) is made up of three letters. The ד represents the four corners of this world. The ח represents the seven heavens and the earth. And finally, both the letters ד and ח have their source in the א—One Creator.

The Shema teaches us more than just belief in One G-d. Every single day HaShem creates the world anew, giving His creative energy to the world every second of the day. Everything that happens in this world happens through Divine Providence.

3. B'chol Dor VaDor

"In every generation one must look upon himself as if he personally had gone out of Mitzrayim." — Pesachim 116b.

Around 3,300 years ago, HaShem took us out of Mitzrayim—from slavery to freedom. "If HaShem had not taken us out of Mitzrayim, we would still be slaves."

We say thank you and show our gratitude to HaShem every day, with the promise that we will use our freedom in the best possible way. In every generation, and in our own lives, we must break free of our very own personal Mitzrayim by accepting the Torah and Eretz Yisroel as our land, and by serving HaShem with all of our heart, all of our soul, and with all that we have.

4. Kol Yisroel

"All Israel have a share in the World to Come, as it is stated in Yeshayahu 60:21: 'And Your people are all tzaddikim. They shall inherit the land forever. They are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, in which I take pride.'" — Sanhedrin 90a.

HaShem created us, cares for us deeply, and watches over us. As we grow, learning Torah and doing all these wonderful mitzvos, HaShem is preparing us for the World to Come. Being here on earth is the whole purpose of creation, and the World to Come is a reward.

Here on earth we can serve HaShem, but we should not serve HaShem in order to receive that reward.

My rabbi tells me that it is better to serve HaShem for a short period of time here on earth than all of the World to Come.

5. Ki Karov

"It is within your close reach to follow the Torah in speech, feeling, and deed." — Devarim 30:14.

We mustn't think that the Torah is too difficult to observe. HaShem will only ask something of us that is within our ability. HaShem asks every Jew to keep the Torah within that reach and to fulfill the mitzvos.

6. V'hineh HaShem

"HaShem stands over him, and the whole earth is full of His glory, and He searches his mind and heart to see if he is serving Him as is fitting." — Tanya, ch. 41.

Tanya teaches us that HaShem is not removed or far away from us. He is constantly involved in caring for us. We should be aware at all times that HaShem is holding our hand, knowing our thoughts, hearing our speech, and watching our actions, which fills us with Yiras Shamayim.

7. Bereshis

"In the beginning HaShem created the heavens and the earth." — Bereshis 1:1.

The purpose of creation is that the Jews fulfill the mitzvos of the Torah.

Everything we do in this world can be transformed into a mitzvah, which means we should serve HaShem in all our ways.

8. V'shinantam

"And you shall teach the Torah to your children, and you shall speak about it when you are at home and when you travel, before you lie down to sleep and when you wake up." — Deuteronomy 6:7.

The Torah instructs all parents to teach their children Torah. Learning Torah is a mitzvah in itself and equals all other mitzvos.

The pasuk teaches us that our conversations should be with words of Torah, whether we are at home or away from home.

"When you lie down and when you get up" refers to the recitation of the Shema.

9. Yagati

"If someone says: 'I have worked hard but I have not been successful,' don't believe him. If someone says: 'I have not worked hard and I have been successful,' don't believe him. If someone says: 'I have worked hard and I have been successful,' believe him!"

We learn from the Book of Job that man was born to work hard. HaShem gives us what we need and wishes to give us what we want, but we have to earn it. This gives us a feeling of fulfillment, appreciation, and gratitude.

10. V'ahavta

"You should love your fellow Jew as yourself." — Vayikra 19:18.

If someone is lacking the mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel, then he is also lacking Ahavas HaShem. HaShem is happy when we love our fellow Jew, which is a fundamental principle of the Torah.

11. Vezeh Kol HaAdam

"The purpose of the creation of every Jew and of all the worlds is to make a dwelling place for HaShem in this world." — Tanya, ch. 33.

The Tanya teaches us the reason why HaShem created the world and made the Jewish people. It is to follow the Torah, perform the mitzvos, and make ourselves, our homes, and this world a dwelling place for HaShem.

12. Yismach

"The Jews should rejoice in their Maker. Every Jew should share in HaShem's joy, who rejoices and is happy in His dwelling in this world." — Tanya, ch. 33.

Every Jew, no matter their background or level of observance, is a member of Klal Yisroel. With pride and true happiness, we know that HaShem has chosen us to fulfill this great mission: to make the world a place where HaShem is at home.

Thank you to Joey Newcomb and "Thank You HaShem" for bringing this tremendous Kiddush HaShem, together with this wonderful project, The 12 Pesukim, inspired by the Rebbe, to a worldwide audience.