The Chofetz Chaim on the Delay of the Messiah: "Blessed Are Those Who Do Not Despair"

One of the books of the Chofetz Chaim is 'Yearning for Salvation'. In his book, the Chofetz Chaim emphasizes the great obligation to hope for salvation every day, as well as the duty to study the laws of sacrifices, to be ready for the building of the Temple at any moment.

1. "It is found that the two types of people who will exist at the last hour – both will bring the redemption closer, those with their good deeds and the great suffering they endure, and those with their not good deeds," and the Chofetz Chaim adds: "It is clear that it is better for a person to be among the good and not the bad."

2. "In our times there is more reason to expect and hope for the revelation of Hashem's glory in the world, and therefore every righteous person should contemplate what will happen when our righteous Messiah arrives, who will be then for name and glory, and who will be the happiest among men – those who have clung to Hashem during the intensification of suffering, and who have stood guard as faithful Jews to Hashem and His Torah – upon their faces will shine the light of Hashem, each according to their level in Torah knowledge and mitzvah observance."

3. "In the end of exile, corrupt opinions will be found, and some will thereby separate from the Torah and mitzvot. Therefore, the people who strengthen themselves to go in the ways of Hashem, to learn His Torah and observe His commandments - are then called by the name of the righteous, and this is what the verse says: 'And your people, all of them are righteous'."

4. The Chofetz Chaim concludes: "Therefore every person should strengthen themselves now in the knowledge of Torah and the observance of His commandments, for once the Messiah arrives, the evil inclination will be nullified."

5. Regarding the delay in the arrival of the Messiah, the Chofetz Chaim writes that one must be careful not to despair of His coming. Thus are his words: "Far be it from us to despair due to the delay, especially since the prophet foretold us about the delay, for even though it may take time, wait for it, for it will surely come."

6. "And one must stand ready as one stands waiting for someone who is to come. Who in such a time knows – maybe he is already standing behind our wall."

7. "Blessed is the one who does not despair of waiting for the redemption, and pays attention to himself and his offspring to increase Torah and mitzvot, so that shame will not reach us at that time, for only in this world, which resembles night, all is covered and the righteous are indistinguishable from the wicked, but then in the world to come, all will be revealed."

8. "And according to the great distress of the time that is present now, and almost all the signs mentioned by the sages in relation to the approach of redemption have been fulfilled, it is certainly necessary to hope for redemption and one must hurry to prepare for the work and its laws."

9. In his pleasant language, the Chofetz Chaim explains the great obligation for the priests and Torah scholars to be proficient in studying the laws of sacrifices. "Certainly at the time of redemption, when they cross the sea, everyone will have to bring a thank-offering, or for a sick person who was healed, which is common among all people, or for obligatory sin-offerings which will be found in thousands, who unwittingly violated the Shabbat, etc., and they will all rush to the priests that they may offer the sacrifices for them, and the priests will rush to all Torah scholars to explain to them how to offer the sacrifice according to the law, and how much disgrace and humiliation will reach each of the Torah scholars when they do not know how to respond." Regarding the priests, the Chofetz Chaim writes: "Certainly, it is greatly to be wondered at when the priests despair of studying the laws of the service, did not Hashem choose them to serve Him and every day there is uncertainty lest our righteous Messiah come."

10. The Chofetz Chaim further brings the words of the sages: "Hashem said to Israel: Even though the Temple is destined to be destroyed and the sacrifices canceled, do not forget to order the sacrifices, but be careful to read and study them (in the study of their laws) and if you engage in them, I consider it as if you are engaged in sacrifices." The Chofetz Chaim also brings Hashem's words to Abraham our father: "At a time when the Temple is not standing, I have already provided for them with the order of sacrifices, when they read them I consider it as if they are offering a sacrifice before Me and I forgive them all their sins."