Humbly I express my thanks and gratitude to Hashem for granting me the physical and mental capabilities to add another volume to the Vedibarta Bam series. The current volume is dedicated entirely to Bar Mitzvah. It consists of a collection of derashot — sermon material — and messages connected to all the Torah parshiot of the year.

Those who have read the forewords to some of the prior Vedibarta Bam volumes undoubtedly are aware that these volumes are published primarily for a very personal reason.

Torah is the link that connects all generations since the day we became a people. Thus, my wife Beracha תחי' (without whose moral support and assistance the Vedibarta Bam series and other accomplishments would not have been realized) and I hope and pray that when our children, grandchildren and future generations will read these works, the bond between us and them will be strengthened and everlasting.

In this volume are also included some derashot based on divrei Torah from my grandfather Harav Hagaon Tzvi z”l HaKohen Kaplan, and my father Harav Hagaon Shmuel Pesach z”l Bogomilsky.

King David prayed, “Agurah be’ahalcha olamim” — “I shall dwell within your tents forever [lit. worlds]” (Psalms 61:5). The Gemara (Bechorot 31b) explains that he was expressing a desire that Torah should be taught in his name when he would no longer be physically in this world, and thus he would gain immortality and live in both worlds.

As Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, “When the Torah words of a Talmid Chacham are repeated in his name in this world, his lips move in his grave.” Rashi in his commentary writes, “Vehana’ah hu lo shedomeh kechai” — “It is a pleasure to him that he is like a living person.” I deem it a great zechut to be able to give my father and grandfather this pleasure.

May we merit that our families’ tie with Torah become stronger and stronger, and may we be blessed with good health and longevity to enjoy Yiddish and Chassidish nachas materially and spiritually from our progeny.

For Whom Is This Book?

A Bar Mitzvah celebration is usually divided in two parts. The first is in shul where the boy is called to the Torah, (or reads the weekly parshah), and the second is at a festive meal. At both these occasions it is customary for speeches to be delivered. The Rabbi of the congregation, the principal of the boy’s educational institution, or his teacher will usually be among the featured speaker addressing the gathering. In addition, relatives or prominent members of the community may be called upon to address.

The custom of Chabad is that the parent of the Bar Mitzvah says a few words in honor of the simcha (see Sefer Haminhagim).

Hopefully, the thoughts expressed herein will facilitate that task.

Above all it is my fervent wish that a Bar Mitzvah boy refer to this book, read it, and study it. Should it inspire him to intensify his Torah study or observance of mitzvot and bring much Chassidish and Yiddish nachas to his family and Klal Yisrael, it will be a cherished reward for my efforts with this publication.

Recently, my einikel — grandson — Rabbi Eli Lipskar, shliach to Downtown Miami, Florida and co-Rabbi of the Rock family-Chabad Shul, said to me, “Zeide, we need a new book. We need fresh new sermons for the attendees of our shul.”

I told him I am coming out with a new Sefer, sermons and messages to a Bar Mitzvah. In reality, however, a Bar Mitzvah is not only a thirteen year old boy. Rather, that is the age when he becomes a Bar Mitzvah. At that stage in life he earns the title since he now becomes Biblically obligated, but once he receives the title it is something that remains with him for a lifetime.

In other words, every Jew, after thirteen, until 120, is a Bar Mitzvah for the rest of his life. So these sermons will be a fresh new source for all Jews regardless of age.

About this Book

In honor of the Bar Mitzvah of my grandson, Shmuel Pesach Leiter, I published the book Hei Teves — a synopsis of my involvement in what the Rebbe termed Yom Habahir. When his brother Menachem Mendel was becoming Bar Mitzvah, I started working on this book. However, it was not finished. Parts were added around the time of the Bar Mitzvah of Yosef Mordechai Fellig, Uziel and Akiva Leiter, but the book remained not ready for publication.

Finally, for the upcoming Bar Mitzvah of our grandson Pinchas Fellig, I put in much effort and, thank G‑d, the book came to fruition. So for this book, credit is due to five grandchildren, and it is being published with them in mind—and for the, IYH, coming Bar Mitzvot of other grandchildren and future generations.

Pinchas is the first grandson in our family named after my father-in-law Reb Pinchas z”l Sudak, a devout Chassid of the Rebbe and excelled in bein adam lachaveiro and bein adam laMakom.

It is noteworthy, (as mentioned by his grandson, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Sudak, Shliach to Edgeware, England) considering the timing of this publication, that he was meticulous in the mitzvah of tefillin and particularly politely encouraged people to be careful in avoiding a chatzitzah in regard to Tefillin shel rosh — head Tefillin.

The Gemara (Shabbat 23b) says, “He who loves Torah scholars is blessed with sons who are Torah scholars. He who honors Torah scholars, is blessed with sons-in-law who are Torah scholars.” Reb Pinchas z”l was both, and Hashem rewarded him twofold.

As a congregational Rabbi for more than four decades כ"י, and as a Rebbe in the Mesivta and later a Principal in the Lubavitch Mesivta on Bedford and Dean Streets, and later years as a principal of the Lubavitch Yeshivah Ocean Parkway, I have addressed countless Bar Mitzvah celebrations. Among the more than 130 derashot in this book are replicas of the ones delivered over the years.

Acknowdlegements

The team that really makes my seforim worthy to enter your homes is Rabbi Yonah Avtzon and his co-worker Yosef Yitzchok Turner of Sichos In English. Yosef Yitzchok Turner actually produces the entire book up to the actual printing and Rabbi Avtzon disseminates it and also gives his invaluable insight and comments. The third partner in the achievement is my editor, Rabbi Binyomin Kaplan of Los Angeles, California.

Firstly, I again want to thank my good friend, Rabbi Dr. Alter Ben Zion Metzger (May he be blessed with good health and longevity) for introducing me to Dr. Binyomin Kaplan, my editor, whose comments and corrections enhance these volumes. His occupation as a Kashrut supervisor for the O.U. is a full-time responsibility and often requires overtime. The help he extends during the late hours of the night or very early hours of the morning to enhance these publications with his learned comments and editorial skill is greatly appreciated beyond description.

Special thanks and appreciation is due to my dear friend Rabbi Michoel Aharon Seligson for assisting me with his vast knowledge of Torah in general and sichot of the Rebbe in particular.

To every rule there is an exception to the rule. Yosef Yitzchok Turner is an exception to the rule “No one is indispensible.” In all honesty, I must say without his friendship, patience, dedication and expertise, the book would not have been ready for print for the current Bar Mitzvah. I cannot find adequate words to express my gratitude. Let me suffice by paraphrasing the Torah blessing “Yiftach Hashem lecha et otzaro hatov” (Devarim 28:12): “May Hashem open for you His good storehouse” and shower you with blessing for hatzlachah, gezunt, parnassah and nachas — begashmiyut uberuchniyut — materially and spiritually.

Over the years our family has, thank G‑d, grown considerably. You, dear readers, have become a part of our extended family. It is your encouragement and laudatory comments that provide the motivation and impetus needed to continue this project. I am grateful to you, and hope that you, too, will enjoy and benefit from this volume, as much, and even more than from the preceding ones.

Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky

7 MarCheshvan, 5777