veryone came together to hear the word of Hashem, as the king publicly read from the Torah. The mitzvah of Hakhel was performed in such a manner as to include every segment of the Jewish People. Indeed, the Midrash questions the need for bringing along the young children. Chazal tell us, “The men came to learn; the women to hear; and the infants came to provide reward for those who brought them.” We may question the reward provided for those who brought their infants. After all, if there was no intrinsic purpose in bringing the children, why did their parents receive a reward?
Horav Avraham Kilav, Shlita, suggests that the goal of the mitzvah of Hakhel is to signify that Am Yisrael, with all of its branches, is one unified nation. Each individual Jew completes a segment which is otherwise missing. Together, we stand as one unit. Hakhel was performed after the Shemittah year, when all Jews were equal by design. The fields were open to everyone. No longer was it discernible who was the owner and who was the guest. The festival of Succos also carries great significance. During this season, man realizes his impermanence on this world. During other years, Succos is a time when the silos are filled with grain and everyone feels good about his success. This feeling does not persist after the Shemittah year, when nothing had been planted. This year, the silos and granaries are empty.
Everyone assembles together, regardless of background or station in life, to symbolize unity. This moment of unity is unique in that everyone realizes that they all meld together to create one unit. No one has greater significance than the other. In fact, one’s greatest significance, his greatest sense of shlaimus, perfection/ completeness, is achieved when he realizes that he becomes complete only through the inclusion of other Jews.
