Reaching Out to the Public

Doing things on behalf of the public is an extremely important mitzvah that has deep spiritual benefits.

The author of the Sefer Charedim writes (based on the Zohar on Parashat Terumah): "If people knew how much merit they gain by turning the wicked away from sin, they would pursue them with courage and make great efforts like one who pursues life itself, for the desire to live is unmatched. Similarly, the thirst to bring those who are distant closer will, in the future, be as powerful as life itself."

"Those who lead the many to righteousness will shine like stars forever and ever..." (Daniel 12:3) – Those who teach Hashem's way to others will shine like stars forever and ever (Metzudat David).

The prophet Yirmiyahu notes: "If you extract the precious from the worthless" (Yirmiyahu 15:19), and Rashi explains that if you extract a worthy person from an evil person by returning him to goodness, then "you will be like My mouth," and you will be able to nullify decrees that I decreed. 

The holy Zohar adds: None of the prosecutors can dominate this individual. And he will enter the World to Come through twelve gates, and no one can protest against him, and he causes all the upper and lower worlds to be sustained.

The Chafetz Chaim writes (in section 256): "And now there are in several large towns holy groups founded on Shabbat observance, and fortunate is their portion, for they benefit the many for their Father in Heaven (to encourage them to close shops and light candles on time), and those who consistently strengthen this mitzvah will merit to have children who are great Torah scholars, similar to what our Sages said about Elkanah, who when he would go on [his] pilgrimage every year, would intend each time to encourage the Jewish people to also merit this mitzvah. Hashem said to him: 'You intended to benefit Israel, I will bring forth from you a son who will benefit Israel before Me,' and he merited that the prophet Shmuel came from him."

"This endeavor is very precious and important to Hashem, more than all the services in the world, for the main greatness and honor of Hashem is when those who are distant come closer to Him" (Likutei Halachot).