Mifkad - מפקד

That the chanichim will understand the importance of mifkad, and will show respect for it.  In particular, that the chanichim understand that we should especially be respectful during Hatikva, the himnon of Medinat Yisrael.

So, what exactly is mifkad?  And why do we bother doing it?  Basically, it can be considered “preparation” for the actual peula… it puts us into a certain frame of mind, and helps us to understand the reason why we come to snif.  The peulot the madrichim give all discuss various aspects of Bnei Akiva ideology… so obviously it’s important to put us into that Bnei Akiva frame of mind.

Step 1: There are 2 options (you can do both, if you want)

A)    Make the chanichim do a hard work out.  Don’t let them prepare, stretch, or warm up in any way.  Just stand up suddenly, and demand that they do 5 push ups, then run around the room 5 times, then do 5 jumping jacks… etc, until they get a little worn out.

B)     Run a “meditation” session with the chanichim, but don’t put any effort into getting them into the right frame of mind (aka no soothing voice, no telling them to relax, close eyes, etc.).  Just say all of a sudden, “Ok, we’re going to meditate.  Now, imagine that there is a warm gel at the top of your head…” and go through the whole shpeil.  Don’t bother making your voice soothing; just say everything in a very matter-of-fact way.

So what was the point of that?  Both of these scenarios are equivalent to having a peula without mifkad, as discussed earlier.  Imagine having soccer practice without a warm up… it’s harder, and you don’t perform as well.

Step 2:  Take 2 chanichim aside.  Tell them that they each have to describe an imaginary next-door-neighbor.  They can only say positive things about this neighbor (aka, She’s nice, she’s pretty, she bakes me cookies, I like her pet poodle, etc.).  But one chanich has to describe the neighbor with a lot of enthusiasm (mean what you say), and the other has to describe the neighbor in a tone of voice that makes it opposite that he thinks exactly the opposite of what he’s saying (heavy on the sarcasm, don’t sound enthusiastic). 

Then they have to give their mini-speeches to the rest of the kvutza.  Ask: Did they both genuinely like the neighbor?  How can you tell that the second chanich didn’t like the neighbor?

Explanation: You often betray the way you feel about something in the way that you talk about it.  If the tone of your voice is disrespectful when you are talking to a teacher, then it’s showing you don’t have respect for that teacher.  The same goes for mifkad, and in particular for Hatikva.  When we sing Hatikva, it’s our opportunity to express our love and respect for Medinat Yisrael.  When we are running around, talking to our friends, or simply acting funny during Hatikva, it’s showing that we don’t have the sort of respect for Israel that we should.

Step 3: Mini-Mifkad.  Quickly run through mifkad with your chanichim.  Go through each of the steps, and quickly discuss what you should be doing at each step and why.  If any of them don’t know the words to Yad Achim or Hatikva, go over it.  Explain the meaning of Brachot, and why we stand in noach and dom.