In the midst of World War II, in his first speech as Prime Minister on May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill spoke about blood, toil, tears and sweat. His words, likely, were reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt’s words in 1897, when he said, “In the past, the nation has triumphed because of the blood and sweat and tears, the labor of anguish, through which, in the days that have gone, our forefathers moved on to triumph.”

This year, we are transitioning from the year 5784 to 5785. The word that makes the year 5784 in Hebrew is תשפ׳׳ד  (Teshaped), which means to stab as with a skewer or a spear. Unfortunately, 5784 lived up to its name. We were stabbed in the gut on Oct. 7, right at the beginning of the Hebrew year. Israel and the Jewish people are still defending their lives on Israel’s borders, on American campuses, and on streets throughout the world.

Interestingly, the year 5785 that we are entering תשפ׳׳ה (teshapeh) means to compensate for a damage, to make smooth, to fix, to beautify. Let us say earnestly this year, perhaps as we never before have said it: “Let the year end with its curses, and let the new year begin with its blessings.”

We have long struggled with birth pangs.  But G-d tells us in the prophecy of Isaiah (60:22) in this week’s Haftorah, no matter how long the struggle, “Be’ita achishena.” In its time, I will hurry it. There will be no more “Hamas,” no more violence, no more stealing, no more stealing and capturing human beings. It is believed that before the time of the messiah, there shall be war and suffering (Ezekiel 38:16). But in Deuteronomy 30:3, we read, “Then G-d will release you from captivity and will take you back in love.” He will hasten that day of triumph.

Although some rabbis believe that G-d has set aside a specific date for the coming of the messiah, most suggest that the messiah will come in a time when most needed, either because the generation is totally innocent or totally guilty — a generation that loses hope, or a generation when children are disrespectful towards parents and elders. This means that the conduct of mankind will determine the time of the messiah’s coming and the bringing about of political and spiritual redemption.  Therefore, the mitzvah of teshuva is also key.

But is there a practical way to hasten the coming of the messiah? In fact, yes: In the Jerusalem Talmud (Ta’anit 1:1), Rabbi Levi said, “If Israel would keep one Shabbat following its rules, David’s son would immediately come.  …By keeping the Sabbath and staying put you will be freed.”  A tradition in the Babylonian Talmud (Shabbat 118b) “Rabbi Yoḥanan said.. “If only the Jewish people would keep two Shabbatot in accordance with their halakhot, they would be immediately redeemed…”

This year, we have the perfect opportunity to hasten the arrival — and so suggests my Messiah Campaign. Yom Kippur falls on Shabbat. Yom Kippur being itself a double Shabbat — Shabbat Shabbaton — makes it three Shabbatot in one.  So, there is no excuse! We know that most Jews observe Yom Kippur. But this year, let’s all do it more fervently. Let’s fast together. Let’s be together without animosity. Let’s observe Yom Kippur as we should and hasten the arrival. Isn’t it worth a try?

Shana Tova to all the Jewish people.

— Rabbi Gadi Capela