6 Rules for Welcoming Mashiach

6 Rules That Atone for Sins in Place of Fasts, or How to Welcome Mashiach

How can one merit welcoming Mashiach? Every Jew has the ability to rise to the highest level, even if, G-d forbid, he has sinned throughout his entire life. One should never give in to despair. There is a way to atone for sins without resorting to fasting and self-affliction. One need only observe six rules—with all one's heart and with great joy. Rule 1 1) Try to answer “Amen, yehei shemei rabba” to every Kaddish. The Talmud says that whoever answers “Amen, yehei shemei rabba” with all his strength is forgiven all his sins, even thoughts of heresy. The holy book “Zohar” says that a person should utter these words with all his strength, feeling his entire body tremble. Whoever does so is promised forgiveness for all his sins, provided that he does not repeat his foolish ways. And, as is known, one who answers “Amen, yehei shemei rabba” makes the Great Name of the Almighty complete in its letters. 2) One who answers “Amen, yehei shemei rabba” erases the memory of Amalek from all the worlds and from the portion of his soul. 3) He empathizes with the suffering of the Shechinah, as does the Almighty, blessed is He, who grieves over our exile, and awakens mercy for the entire People of Israel. 4) Through him, blessing descends upon all the worlds. 5) Through him, sinners are saved from Gehinom. 6) Through him, rejected souls will rise to their source, escaping painful reincarnations. 7) Through him, all the sparks of holiness will return from the captivity of impurity. 8) Through him, the great Name of the Almighty will be sanctified in all the worlds. When answering “Amen”, one should have in mind making all four letters of HaShem's Name complete. And when saying “le'olam u-le'almei almaya”, one should intend to sanctify the Name of the Almighty in the upper and lower worlds. Rule 2 Our Sages said that anyone who observes Shabbat with the utmost care and attention to every detail merits forgiveness for his sins—even if he worshipped idols, as in the generation of Enosh. As it is written: “Fortunate is the man (enosh) who does this, and the son of man who holds fast to it—who keeps Shabbat without profaning it (mechalelo), and restrains his hand from doing any evil” (Yeshayah 56). The word “mechalelo” is reminiscent of the words “machul lo”—(he is forgiven). Our Sages, of blessed memory, said that Shabbat was given to Israel solely so that they might engage in Torah study. One should study the laws of Shabbat in order to know how to observe it: the laws of eruv and muktzeh, the laws of trapping animals and selecting, the laws of grinding, and others. One who studies these laws can rectify what he previously neglected. In addition, observing Shabbat entails observing it in three realms: thought, speech, and action. Although this applies to all other mitzvot as well, regarding Shabbat the Torah itself tells us this. Regarding thought, it is said: “Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it.” Regarding speech, it is said: “and you shall honor it... not pursuing your own affairs or speaking of them”—so that, as the Sages say, one's speech on Shabbat should not be the same as on weekdays. Regarding action, it is said: “Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it”—sanctifying it through Torah study, food and drink, and festive clothing—all things related to action. And most importantly, a person should be joyful on Shabbat. Rule 3 Recite the prayer “Shirat HaYam” (the Song at the Sea) with such great joy as if you yourself had left Egypt at that very moment. For the Midrash explains the verse “And Moshe led Israel away from the Red Sea” to mean he led Israel away from their sins, which were forgiven. For whoever sings a song when a miracle has occurred for him merits forgiveness for his sins. Rule 4 Our Sages, of blessed memory, said that with one who acts contrary to his impulses, Heaven acts contrary to his sins. As it is written: “He who bears (endures) sin and transgression.” Whose sin does He bear? The sin of one who overcomes transgression. Therefore, a person should say to himself: “Why endure suffering in this world and in Gehinom for your sins? Would it not be better to silently endure people's insults and abuse? On the contrary, rejoice in such minor suffering, which will bring healing to your soul.” Our Sages also said: Of whom is it written, “...and those who love Him are like the sun rising in its might”? Of those who are persecuted but do not persecute, who silently listen to insults and do not answer back, who act this way with love and rejoice in their suffering. Rule 5 I saw in the book “Beit Midot”: “Solitude is sometimes of great benefit to a person.” At a favorable time, one should withdraw from people to a secluded place and turn one's gaze upward, to the One and Only G-d, the Beginning of all beginnings and the Cause of all causes. It is known that just as a face is reflected in water, so is one person's heart reflected in another's. Thus, in solitude, a person should turn his face toward Heaven and always pray for mercy. This is also discussed in the book “Chovot HaLevavot.” Rule 6 One should try to listen to the words of those who fear G-d—with eagerness and love. It is known that the words of the Aggadah capture a person's heart. We are obligated to listen to the one who admonishes us, for this is what was told to us at Sinai: “You are standing today before the L-rd your G-d...” Moshe said to the Children of Israel: “As long as you stand before your teacher, it is as though you are standing before the Almighty. And do not fear the 98 curses (listed earlier in the Torah)—they will all be transformed into blessings.”   How Can One Be Saved When Mashiach Comes? It is written: “And it shall be that whoever remains in Zion and whoever remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy.” Does this mean that even in the Land of Israel, G-d forbid, it will be dangerous? To understand this, let us see what is written in the book of Yeshayahu: “Darkness shall cover the earth, and a thick cloud the nations.” The earth refers to the Land of Israel, while darkness refers to fear and misfortune. That is, there will also be fear, troubles, and some suffering in the Land of Israel, in order to prepare the Jews to welcome the Redeemer. But if we turn to the Almighty beforehand, there will be neither misfortune nor fear. Only a thick cloud will cover the nations, while Zion will be redeemed through justice. In the future, the angel Michael will gather all 70 angels of the nations of the world, who always accuse Israel, and judge them. Then all the accusers will agree that the Jews have earned redemption. What of our brothers, the Children of Israel living abroad—will they be in danger? The verse says: “Zion shall be redeemed through justice, and those who return to it—through charity.” In the merit of charity (tzedakah), they will merit the ingathering of the exiles—provided that they do not violate Shabbat, since the sin of violating Shabbat is not atoned for by tzedakah, but only through profound repentance.   (Silatehilim, based on the sefer “Ahavat Chaim,” Vayikra, Chacham Rav Menachem Menashe)