E. Teaching the child:[1]

Teacher teaches him Alef from Tanya:[2] The teacher seats the child on his lap and begins teaching him the Alef Beis. It is customary in Chabad to begin with the Alef from [a laminated] title-page [i.e. Daf Hashaar] of the Tanya [which has the letter Alef coated with honey, as explained next].[3] The teacher points to the letter, says Alef, and the child repeats Alef.

Teacher teaches him rest of letters forwards and backwards:[4] Afterwards, the teacher reads the Alef-Beis letter after letter for the child, pointing to the letters and having the child repeat after him. It is to be read in order.[5] He then reads the letters in reverse order Taf-Shin-Reish, with the child repeating. Some are accustomed when reading the letters backwards to the child to read each letter individually starting from Taf.[6] Others, however, are accustomed to read it in abbreviations as Tashrak, Tzapas, Nimlach, Yatchaz, Vehadag, Bo [תשרק צפעס נמלך יטחז והדג בא].[7] One is to also teach the child the end letters of Manatzpach, which is the Langa Mem, Langa Nun, Langa Tzadik, Langa Pei and Langa Chafםןץףך . The letters of the Hebrew alphabet contain tremendous holiness in them and the simple teaching of the letters to the child imbues the child with this holiness.[8] This is in addition to the form of the Hebrew scribal letters which also contain much holiness and many hidden messages.[9]

Licking honey off the letters:[10] After having taught the child the letters of the Alef Beis, using a toothpick and the like, the teacher coats the letters with honey [on a laminated Alef Beis sheet]. The child recites the blessing Shehakol and then licks the honey off the letters.[11]

Teaching Nekudos forwards and backwards:[12] He then teaches the child each of the Nekudos (vowels), reading them in order [and then in reverse order] with the child repeating after him.[13] The Nekudos contain tremendous holiness in them and the simple teaching of the Nekudos to the child imbues the child with this holiness.[14]

Saying Torah Tziva:[15] The teacher then recites – and the child repeats – the verse:  Torah Tzivah Lanu Moshe Morasha Kehilas Yaakov, and the request “Torah Tehai Emunosi Ve-Eil Shadai Be’ezras.”

Teaching him Chumash Vayikra:[16] The teacher then takes a Chumash Vayikra and reads the first verse of “Vayikra El Moshe Vayidaber Hashem Eilav Meiohel Moed Lamor” to the child.[17] The child should repeat after the teacher word after word. Some also read the second verse to the child. Some are accustomed to read to the child and to learn with him the entire first paragraph.[18]

Birchas Kohanim:[19] Some are accustomed to blessing the child with Birchas Kohanim by the Hachnasas Lacheder ceremony.

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[1] See Shevach Habris p. 140; Nitei Gavriel 21:1-4

[2] Shevach Habris p. 140; See Nitei Gavriel 21:9 in name of Machzor Vitri that the letters should be written on a board or parchment as there is a board in the heart; See Nitei Gavriel 21:14

[3] Sefer Hasichos 5749 2:620; Likkutei Sichos 2:476 that so is done by the Rebbe Rayatz; Shevach Habris ibid

The reason: This is done in order to educate the child and motivate him with enthusiasm for the study of Chassidus.

[4] Shevach Habris p. 140; Nitei Gavriel 21:2 and 6

[5] Nitei Gavriel 21:5

[6] Sifrei Assufos; Yesod Yosef 69; Kav Hayashar 72

[7] Rokeiach 296; Mishpat Tzedek; Shevach Habris ibid

[8] Sefer Hamamarim Kuntresim Rayatz 1:178

[9] See Hayom Yom p. 26; Sefer Hasichos 5748 2:502

[10] Machzor Vitri; Rokeiach 296; Orchos Chaim; Kol Bo; Sefer Hasufos; Yesod Yosef 69; Kav Hayashar 72; Mishpat Tzedek; Shevach Habris p. 143; Nitei Gavriel 22:1

[11] The reason: This is done in order so the words of Torah be as sweet as honey in his mouth. [Sefarim ibid]

[12] Shevach Habris p. 140 in name of Rav Levi Goldstein; Nitei Gavriel 21:4 that so is Minhag Chabad

[13] The reason: This is reminiscent of the giving of the Torah by which God entered the Jewish people into Cheder and taught them Kamatz Alef Ah, as it states in scripture and in the midrash that God revealed to us all 22 letters of the Torah and the first letter that God taught us was Kamatz Alef of the word Anochi. [See Shir Hashirim 1:4 and Midrash Raba Shir Hashirim ibid; Sefer Hasichos 5703 p. 144]

[14] Sefer Hamamarim Kuntresim Rayatz 1:178

[15] Rokeiach 296; Sefer Hasufos; Kav Hayashar 72; Mishpat Tzedek; Chinuch HaYeladim; Yesod Yosef 69; Shevach Habris 6 p. 141; Nitei Gavriel 21:10

[16] Rokeiach 296; Kav Hayashar 72; Mishpat Tzedek; Chinuch HaYeladim; Sefer Hasichos 5700 p. 67; Shevach Habris 6 p. 141; Nitei Gavriel 21:11

[17] The reason: The reason that the child is taught from the book of Vayikra is because all of the sacrifices are written there and the midrash states that God instructs that those who are pure, which refers to children, should be involved in purity, which refers to sacrifices which appear. By doing so, Hashem considers it as if that they stood and offered the sacrifices before Him. [See Midrash Raba Tzav 7; Midrash Tanchuma Tzav 14]

[18] Sefer Hasichos 5700 p. 67 that the Alter Rebbe taught his grandson the Tzemach Tzedek the entire first paragraph after which his grandson asked him questions on the subject

[19] Nitei Gavriel 21:13 that so was done to the Alter Rebbe by the Besht

[20] Zechor Leavraham Minhagei Toldos Aaron Rebbe 2:45; Shevach Habris 7 p. 142; Nitei Gavriel 21:12