The Moment Exile Began

We recite in our prayers: “Because of our sins we have been exiled from our Land.” But through Teshuvah - return to G-d - we remedy the root-cause of exile, and bring it to an end.

Children have a special importance in this mission. The Midrash relates: When did the exile truly begin? At first, the Sanhedrin, the Sages of the High Court, were led into exile. But G-d’s Presence continued to reside in Jerusalem, in the Temple. Then the Kohanim and Levites serving in the Temple were exiled, yet G-d’s Presence continued to remain. But when the Jewish children studying Torah were exiled, G-d Himself went into exile along with them.

Even today, so long as Jewish children maintain their Judaism - remaining spiritually “in Jerusalem, in the Temple” - the true exile cannot take hold, for G-d remains with them. And through this they will return the Sanhedrin, the Kohanim, the Levites, and all the Jewish People to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.