Chapter I

קרוב ה׳ לכל קוראיו לכל אשר יקראוהו באמת

"The L-rd is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth."1

We ascertain from this verse that G-d is called upon by two distinct groups "all who call upon Him" and "all who call upon Him in truth." Truth refers to Torah, as the Midrash states:2 "Truth is nothing other than Torah." The Sifri states that3 the phrase "the L-rd is close to all who call upon Him" applies only prior to the sealing Heaven forfend of a harsh decree. Accordingly, it is understood that once a harsh decree has been sealed, G-d must be called upon through Torah, which has the capacity to nullify even a sealed decree.

Since G-d is entirely merciful, it is clear that even a harsh decree has a spiritual purpose. Consider the great and mighty afflictions of these times, for example "the birthpangs of Moshiach." It is now the last period of exile, and Moshiach's coming is very nigh. Repentance is a prerequisite for his coming, since "Israel shall be redeemed only through repentance."4 Thus, the afflictions of these times serve as an awakening to repentance. Now the time is truly ripe for Moshiach's coming, and by "calling upon Him in truth" the "birthpangs of Moshiach" are eased.

To better understand the matter: The Talmud states5 that R. Yitzchok says four things have the ability to nullify a harsh decree rendered against an individual, G-d forbid. They are: giving charity; praying aloud (known in Hebrew as tza'aka, a loud cry from the depths of one's heart. It is for this reason, incidentally, that we are advised6 to pray aloud [except for the Shemoneh Esreh] during the month of Elul, on Rosh HaShanah, during the Ten Days of Penitence and on Yom Kippur). The third way to nullify a harsh decree is to change one's name, and the fourth is to change one's actions by improving one's deeds.

The Talmud goes on to prove that these four methods have the ability to nullify a decree by quoting verses and recounting actual incidents wherein one of the above-mentioned actions caused a decree to be nullified.

That charity can nullify a decree is attested to by the verse:7 "And charity saves from death." The efficacy of praying aloud is indicated by the verse:8 "They cried out to the L-rd in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity."

With regard to our matriarch Sarah it is written:9 "And Sarai was barren; she was childless." When, upon G-d's command, Sarai's name was changed to Sarah she was able to bear children, as the verse says:10 "Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai (with a yud) but Sarah (with a hei) is her name. And I have blessed her and shall also give you a son from her."

That bettering one's actions can effectively nullify a decree is attested to by the story of Yonah and the city of Ninveh. G-d sent the prophet Yonah to Ninveh to warn the inhabitants that because of their evil behavior, their city would be destroyed in 40 days. Upon hearing this, the king and all his ministers fasted, and demanded that the rest of the populace also fast and wear garments of mourning. Even the animals were not to be fed. "And G-d saw their deeds, that they repented of their evil ways, and G-d reconsidered the retribution which He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do so."11

Quoting the words of remonstration recited during a public fast, the Mishnah says:12 "Brethren, concerning the repentance of the people of Ninveh, it is not written 'that G-d saw their sackcloth'; rather it says 'that G-d saw their deeds'."

In summary: Giving charity, praying with heartfelt exclamation, changing one's name or changing one's behavior are four methods by which a harsh decree can be nullified. The efficacy of a change of name is learned from Sarah, and the efficacy of a change in action is learned from the people of Ninveh.