Rabbi Eliezer Ben Yaakov Said: "He Who Fulfills One Mitzvah Acquires For Himself One Advocate, And He Who Commits One Transgression Acquires Against Himself One Accuser. Repentance And Good Deeds Are Like A Shield Against Retribution."

Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar Said: "Every Assembly [Whose Purpose Is] For The Sake Of Heaven Will Be Perpetuated, But That Which Is Not For The Sake Of Heaven Will Not Be Perpetuated."

He Who Fulfills One Mitzvah Acquires For Himself One Advocate

The simple meaning of this mishnah is that the performance of a mitzvah creates an angel that will act as an advocate for the person in his final judgment.[31] Nevertheless, the fact that the mishnah uses the expression "acquires" rather than "creates" implies something deeper. In addition to the angel created by each mitzvah he performs, a person acquires One advocate; the One becomes an advocate for him. For every mitzvah a person performs, regardless of his intent,[32] connects him to G-d. Conversely...

He Who Commits One Transgression Acquires Against Himself One Accuser

Here also, the intent is that "the One" becomes an accuser, because through sin, a person disrupts the connection between himself and G-d.

(Sichos Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Eikev, 5738; Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bechukosai, 5741)

Repentance And Good Deeds Are Like A Shield Against Retribution

Here we are not speaking about a person's individual judgment, but about a defense against the spirit of retribution that causes hardship and misfortune in the world at large. When a person performs a mitzvah and turns to G-d in teshuvah, he gains a shield. This can be compared to a soldier who goes into battle wearing a helmet. Because of the dangers of combat, he takes protective measures. Although our world is fraught with danger, by fulfilling the Torah and its mitzvos - and particularly those mitzvos associated with protection (e.g., tefillin and mezuzah) - a person can ward off harm.

(Sichos Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Eikev, 5738)

Every Assembly [Whose Purpose Is] For The Sake Of Heaven Will Be Perpetuated

An "assembly" - a grouping together of different people - runs contrary to the nature of our world, which is characterized by division and self-interest. For such an assembly to "be perpetuated," i.e., that the oneness achieved be extended over time, requires a Divine blessing. This blessing is encouraged when the intent of the participants is for the sake of Heaven.

(Ibid.)

When many people come together for the sake of strengthening each other in the observance of the Torah and its mitzvos, the gathering inspires each individual and endows him with the strength to overcome challenges. Moreover, the bonds established between the participants will also be perpetuated. For the bond established through the shared observance of the Torah and its mitzvos is eternal, transcending the boundaries of time and space.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Emor, 5734; Yechidus Klalis, Rosh Chodesh MarCheshvan, 5752)

   

Notes:

31. (Back to text) R. Ovadiah of Bartenura. See also Likkutei Torah, Bamidbar 11a.

32. (Back to text) In contrast, the strength of the angel the person created through the performance of a mitzvah depends on the person's intent.