Dear Klal Yisroel,

An unprecedented opportunity has just fallen to us in an extremely unexpected way. Yes, everyone is talking about it, but I’m not sure people are fully aware of the significance. I would like to discuss two tremendous ideas that we can capitalize on at this time, and we need to act fast, as time is running out.

President Trump declared that, in honor of the two hundred and fiftieth year of this country, American Jewry should celebrate by keeping the Shabbos before Shavuos, which is this Shabbos.

Now, obviously, we frum Yidden will not keep Shabbos for this reason. However, as the Baalei Mussar tell us, everything that happens in this world is a message for us, especially when the message is as blatant and straightforward as this one.

So before we discuss what more we can do for others, let’s not forget about ourselves. This coming Shabbos, we should give it all we’ve got, both in keeping all the halachos and maintaining the kedushas Shabbos. For starters, we should add on to Shabbos as much as we can [within the proper parameters of halacha].

However, we need to realize that each week that we are enjoying the day of Shabbos, there are millions of our lost brothers who are being mechallel Shabbos. We can only imagine how much pain this gives to our Loving Father in Shomayim. As Yidden who are part of the Jewish nation, we should have an immense desire that all Hashem’s children should keep Shabbos.

So here is a huge opportunity that just fell into our laps. Imagine if another few million people light the Shabbos candles and abstain from driving and some other forbidden melachos. We can only imagine what a nachas ruach they would bring to our Father in Heaven. Let us not squander such an enormous opportunity.

Now, some people may wonder, and perhaps argue, that since they don’t know all its laws, they will inevitably transgress different melachos, so what’s the point? However, such an argument is obviously coming from our greatest and most dangerous enemy, the yetzer hara. We need to do what we can to get things started. There are many stories that show the chashivus of holding back even one drop.

Story: I would like to share a powerful story that happened this year during the “Twelve-Day War.” Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson relates an unbelievable story that his brother told him. He knows a fellow who is religious, but interestingly, he plays and sings for non-Jewish people in a different state, and this is his parnassah.

On the night that Israel attacked Iran, he was in the middle of a performance when, all of a sudden, he got an urgent text that Israel had just attacked Iran. When he saw this message, he turned pale, and he stopped playing. He called out emotionally to his crowd that at this time, they needed to stop what they were doing and pray to G-d, in their own words, for peace — and that’s exactly what they did.

A week later, this man had a dream in which his Rebbe’s gabbai told him that it was because of his speech that a Jewish woman lit Shabbos candles for the first time in her life. These candles went a long way, as they gave great protection to Eretz Yisroel during the war. When the man awoke, he dismissed the dream — until he got a phone call from a woman who called to thank him, saying that it was because of him that she lit Shabbos candles for the very first time.

My friends, can we fathom how much protection [which we need now more than ever] we will receive when hundreds of thousands, and hopefully millions, of Yidden light the Shabbos candles this Shabbos? Moreover, can we fathom what a nachas ruach this will bring Hashem Yisbarach?

However, we need to realize that there is something even bigger that this can lead to, and that is the ultimate redemption. Many of us are familiar with the song, “Just one Shabbos and we will all be free.” This is not merely a song; it’s the words of our holy sages, who tell us that “if Klal Yisroel were to keep even one Shabbos, we would be redeemed immediately.” Who knows if this is the opportunity that Hashem is giving us? Let’s utilize this opportunity.

I personally know people who are sending candles to secular Yidden around the U.S., accompanied by the wording of the bracha of Lehadlik. There is lots we can do to spread the word throughout the U.S. If one has neighbors or employees who aren’t religious, tell them about this American Jewish initiative. Perhaps go a step further and invite them for Shabbos. There are organizations that are working on this, but they need everyone’s help.

Spreading to Eretz Yisroel: I just heard that the fire of Shabbos is spreading to the secular community in Eretz Yisroel as well. Chacham David Yosef, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, urged Netanyahu to encourage the secular public in Eretz Yisroel to join in the national week of keeping Shabbos.

Words of caution: If you are dealing with a person who is liberal, then don’t bring the president into the equation, as it will only make things worse. Just say that Jews all over the country are going to try to keep this Sabbath. Then you can tell him a few vital halachos that would be tremendous if he could stick to them. Ideally, it would be great to invite secular Yidden for Shabbos so that they can keep Shabbos properly and get a taste of Shabbos as well.

Conclusion: The Shibolei Haleket, one of the Rishonim [and others say this as well], says that the Shabbos before Shavuos is also called “Shabbos Hagadol.” There are reasons given for this, but I would like to add two more of my own.

Firstly, if the entire Klal Yisroel will keep this Shabbos, then the name Shabbos Hagadol cannot be a better description for this Shabbos. So hopefully, this coming Shabbos, Klal Yisroel will make it a tremendous Shabbos like never before.

Secondly, the Maharal writes that the reason why the Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos Hagadol is because, as Chazal tell us, the night of Pesach [and Pesach in general] is the ideal time for the redemption, which is known as the “Yom Hagadol.” Therefore, the Shabbos before it — which has the power of the coming week, as the seforim teach us — contains within it the power of Pesach, which is geulah.

Similarly, we can add that the Zohar says that on Shavuos we will leave exile. In other words, Shavuos is also an unbelievable eis ratzon for Moshiach. If that’s the case, we can say that this is another reason why this Shabbos is called Shabbos Hagadol [in addition to its other names].

Let’s be zoche that, in the merit of keeping this Shabbos with all our heart and soul, and at the same time helping others see the light of Shabbos, we should be zoche to be oleh regel this year on Shavuos 5786. Amein!

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Pinchas Halevi Doppelt