(Hakhel)
Chazal teach that one of the six questions that a person is asked after 120 years is Tzipisah L’Yeshuah— did you eagerly await Yeshuas Hashem?” Upon first reflection, we may ask–what does this question mean; after all, do not we talk about the redemption many times throughout our davening daily? It accordingly appears then that Tzipisah L’Yeshuah is at a minimum something more.
Before providing short answers, we very importantly note that there is a beautiful English Sefer Yearning with Fire, by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, Shlita. This Sefer provides a full treatment of this essential question, the answer for which a person must be fully-prepared with. In terms of more immediate responses, we provide the following three thoughts by different Rabbanim to whom we posed the question:
1. The Sha’arei Teshuvah to Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 118 brings the Mahari Tzemach who advises that in the bracha of Es Tzemach Dovid of Shemone Esrei–when reciting the words Ki Lishuasecha Kivinu, one should stop and actually have Kavannah that he is awaiting and yearning for the Yeshuah. Hakhel Note: HaRav Chaim Friedlander, Z’tl (in his Sefer Rinas Chaim on the Shemone Esrei), explains that it is not enough to simply recite the words. Ki Lishuasecha Kivinu, but one must ask for the Moshiach to come mei’omek halev–in a truly sincere and heartfelt way!
2. In the twelfth Ani Ma’amin, we recite that we believe in the coming of the Moshiach and that we await him every day. This means that just as we know that Hashem watches over our actions, our words, our thoughts each and every moment–we also must believe that Hashem has a plan–and that plans that Hashem has it to have everything occur as is does in order to lead us to Yeshuah. Our living is not day-to-day–it is with plan and purpose–a spiritual plan and purpose! This–we can (and should) think of many times during the day. This is Tzipisah L’Yeshuah….
3. One should take a step back–why are we awaiting the Moshiach? What is the hope, the yearning, the anticipation about? In the second paragraph of Aleinu–Ahl Kein Nekaveh (originally the Tefillah of Achan)–Chazal clearly set forth in detail for each and every one of us what we yearn for–what we have to look forward to. Accordingly, if one recites the Ahl Kein Nekaveh prayer phrase-by-phrase–he will be clearly demonstrating that he is awaiting and yearning–and what he is awaiting and yearning for!
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