Preparing for Redemption: The Chofetz Chaim’s Teachings on Faith, Turbulence, and the Coming of Mashiach

Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman was one of the greatest students of the Chofetz Chaim, and in his book "Ikveta d'Meshicha," he often quoted the words of his great rabbi about what would happen in the world on the eve of the coming of Mashiach:

1. “Why are such upheavals happening in the world?”

“The Chofetz Chaim said: Today, such extraordinary upheavals are taking place in the world… What has God done to us? Why have the circumstances changed so dramatically?”

Rabbi Elchanan continues with the Chofetz Chaim’s explanation: “From the beginning of creation until now, a great many spiritual accounts have accumulated in Heaven. Before Mashiach arrives, these accounts must be settled, for at that time the evil inclination will disappear, and with it all the business of this world will cease. Therefore, every soul must pay what it still owes to Heaven.
Since the days of Mashiach are very close, this process must be accelerated.”

2. “Events now unfold overnight”

Twenty years later, Rabbi Elchanan wrote: “Since the Chofetz Chaim expressed this view, the pace of world events has increased. Things occur overnight. Time seems to rush forward, as if someone is pushing it.”

He concludes: “Anyone with understanding realizes that we are living in a unique era, which will soon change the entire order of the world.”

3. “Mashiach will not forget even one Jew”

In the Chofetz Chaim’s final year, he said to Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman on Motzaei Yom Kippur: “When our righteous Mashiach comes, he will not forget a single Jew. Even a lone Jew in a distant, remote place — he will bring him back.”

4. How to be saved from the birth-pangs of Mashiach

In Ikveta d’Meshicha, Rabbi Elchanan quotes the Gemara (Sanhedrin): “Rabbi Eliezer’s students asked him: What should a person do to be saved from the birth-pangs of Mashiach?
He answered: Let him engage in Torah and acts of kindness.”

Rabbi Elchanan adds: “Ya’asok — he should involve himself the way a businessman devotes himself entirely to his work. So should one engage in Torah — and then he will be saved.”

It is said that when the Chofetz Chaim stated this teaching, he burst into tears and said to those asking: “People come to ask me how to be saved from their troubles. Can I give a better answer than Rabbi Eliezer the Great? And what do they want from me — Israel Meir — to invent a different advice?!”

5. “Every sorrow of a Jew is part of the exile”

The Chofetz Chaim taught: “Certainly, every trouble that any Jew experiences is part of the exile, and we must add it to the total account — and pray for Mashiach to come already. When he comes, all troubles will automatically end.”

6. We must pray for Mashiach — not wait passively

The Chofetz Chaim said: “Surely Mashiach will come at his appointed time. But we are not permitted to remain silent. It is our obligation to pray and beg that he come quickly and redeem us.”

7. Strengthening emunah in the final era

In his later years, Rabbi Elchanan would recite every day the first chapter of Bereishit, from “In the beginning” until “Thus the heavens were completed,” in order to strengthen his emunah.

He explained: “We live in a time when we need special strategies and methods to strengthen our faith.”

It appears that Rabbi Elchanan learned this practice from his rebbe, the Chofetz Chaim, who also recited these verses daily.

8. Recite the 13 Principles of Faith daily

The Chofetz Chaim advised that in the difficult period before Mashiach’s arrival, one should recite the Thirteen Principles of Faith every day to strengthen emunah.