What Does Hashem Want From Us in This Difficult Time, and What is Rav Shach's Segula for Salvation in Times of Distress?

In this difficult time, we need much spiritual and mental strength to manage our spirits and actions accordingly on one hand, and on the other hand, to know our role towards those around us at this time. We have a great responsibility to manage ourselves and those around us with a calm spirit, to reassure ourselves and those surrounding us with cautious optimism, and with much faith and knowledge that the people of Israel are like a lamb among seventy wolves, enduring persecution by the nations for many years, starting from Esau who pursued Jacob, his brother, with Hashem protecting us from the nations that seek to destroy us for many years..

In recent generations, the sages of our era and the elders of Israel have been aroused, declaring this is the era of the birth pains of Mashiach. Our sages had asked, what should one do to be spared from the pains of Mashiach? Knowing that such a time would come and that only merits will stand by us to pass this period, they asked what merits/actions should we pursue? "Rabbi said to them, engage in Torah and acts of kindness."

The Chafetz Chaim stated: this is not a 'segula,' it is the 'recipe' to be saved from the pains of Mashiach! Only in this way can one endure this period and be saved from the pains of Mashiach. Engaging only in Torah is not enough, and neither is kindness by itself; Torah along with kindness is the spearhead protecting us from the pains of Mashiach..

Do Not Ask 'Why?', Ask 'What Should We Do?'

We are still trying to understand what Hashem wants from us in this difficult time, but we acknowledge the concept of 'Hester Panim,' where divine intentions are hidden and hard for us to comprehend.

Years ago, during a series of calamities, I approached the Steipler Gaon zt"l, in pain over what was happening, and asked him: We see Hashem sending the prophet Jonah to Nineveh to bring them to repentance. Jonah tried to avoid it, and Hashem sent a whale to compel him to go and tell them their sins and the path to repentance..

'We are Hashem's children,' I said to the Steipler, 'and we try to understand what Hashem wants when He punishes us so harshly. Shouldn't Hashem send us a messenger, or a great leader of the generation, to explain what Hashem wants from us, and the cause of His wrath?'

The Steipler, renowned for his greatness and sanctity, looked at me piercingly: "Are you trying to understand Hashem's conduct? Have you understood the Holocaust yet?" Despite my pain, I pressed further: "But today, what does Hashem want us to improve or correct?" The Steipler, with a serious expression, replied, "Six million Jews died in the Holocaust, and you're asking questions about today?" I realized that asking 'why' and 'how' was fruitless, so I asked what actions should be taken to lessen divine wrath.

The Steipler's face lit up, he smiled, and said, "Now you're asking correctly..." He continued: "Today, say one blessing with intention, tomorrow two blessings with intention, the next day three blessings with intention." He emphasized, "Don't rush, or you won't succeed! Today, learn for fifteen minutes without looking away from the Gemara, tomorrow for half an hour, the next day for three-quarters of an hour," again stressing, "Don't rush, or you won't succeed!" Daringly, I asked: "Is that all?" The Steipler patted me on the shoulder and said, "We'll see you follow through."

From this story, I understood that we cannot attain or understand divine conduct, and we should only strive to draw closer to Him, implore, and request divine mercy to save us from our enemies. Concurrently, we can do much to help ourselves through consistent and focused efforts..

 Composure and Trust in Hashem

Importantly, we need to strive for calmness and composure, attempting to release ourselves from the surrounding anxiety. Even when an alarm sounds, we proceed cautiously without succumbing and falling into obstacles along the way to a safe room, and wait until the alarm dissipates, then resume our activities. Constantly discussing the security situation or excessively viewing distressing footage of past events, especially those during Simchat Torah, and ongoing wars, is futile. Maimonides stated that those who induce anxiety and frighten themselves violate the prohibitions of 'do not fear them,' and 'do not be terrified by them.'

For those reaching out in anxiety, we share the following story: Once I assisted our great rabbi, Rav Shach zt"l, and he expressed his wish to offer me something in gratitude. He said, "As a gesture of appreciation, I'll whisper to you what the Chafetz Chaim once whispered to me. There is a segula to say Psalm 20 'For the conductor, a psalm by David...' three times daily; it is a great segula!" Rav Shach added (contrary to his usual practice), "And I assure you, it has been tried and tested."

These days, I advise people to recite Psalm 20 three times daily, which instills faith and trust in Hashem. Undoubtedly, while en route to or within a shelter, discussing such matters holds no merit; rather, the best course is to recite this chapter and trust in Hashem, based on Rav Shach's assurance that it has been tried and tested..

In addition to strengthening our prayers and Torah study, I recommend engaging children in activities these days. Physical activities are easy and beneficial, demonstrating their capacity to relieve stress while providing overall health benefits for the body, heart, blood vessels, intestines, and more.

To conclude, an individual's makeup encompasses intellect and emotion, and one's role is to subordinate emotions to the intellect. One can choose to be their own psychologist, prioritizing rational thought over emotional responses, realizing that this is Hashem's desire—for a person to help themselves remain composed and objective, enabling effective study, prayer, and duty fulfillment in current times. Let us strengthen our faith and deeds of kindness; may Hashem rescue us from their hands..

Courtesy of the 'Dirshu' website