Chemical Reactions

How did you fare in chemistry? Was the thought of memorizing the periodic table enough to make your heart palpitate? Do your palms still sweat when you see diagrams of the molecular structure of water? Or were you a science whiz who loved the smell of sulfuric acid and ammonia, thrilled at the thought of yet another experiment, perceived writing out formulae as an enjoyable challenge?Whether you loved chemistry or hated it, whether you slept through the experiments or bounded into the chemistry classroom on lab day, there's one type of experiment you undoubtedly remember: how a very small quantity of a particular substance can completely transform a tremendous amount of surrounding matter. Its action is that of a catalyst, effecting change without itself being altered in any way.
If we put this law of science to work in our daily lives, it can be inferred that applying even minimal effort can sometimes allow a person to have a profound impact on forces that appear to be more powerful or beyond his or her abilities.
With this in mind, it shouldn't come as a surprise that in the laws on repentance, the great Maimonides wrote: "Every individual should view himself and the world as being perfectly balanced between good and evil. Should he perform one commandment, he will tip the scales in favor of the good and bring salvation and delivery to himself and to the entire world."
The salvation and delivery to which Maimonides referred is the era of personal and global peace, health, and Divine knowledge that will be ushered in by Moshiach. And one mitzva (commandment) can tip the scale.
Are any particular mitzvot weightier, more readily able to tilt the Divine scale?
From chemistry we know that putting certain chemicals together elicits absolutely no reaction, while combining other chemicals can create an enormous effect.
While Maimonides did not specify any particular mitzva and we can therefore deduce that the above law applies to all mitzvot, there are specific mitzvot that have long been connected with hastening the Redemption.
"Charity brings the Redemption closer," the Talmud states. A coin in a tzedaka (charity) box or a sandwich for a homeless person, who knows which one might tip the scale?
As the destruction of the Second Holy Temple and our subsequent exile was on account of wanton hatred among Jews, loving every Jew, even when one sees no apparent justification for loving him, can tip the scale. This is true especially today, when so many are indignantly pointing at their neighbor, declaring that he is the one who is dividing the Jewish people.
Increasing Torah knowledge in general and studying about Moshiach and the Redemption in particular hastens the Redemption. The Lubavitcher Rebbe explained: "This is not only a spiritual means of securing the speedy advent of Moshiach, it is a way of beginning to live one's life in the frame of mind of the Messianic Era, by having one's mind permeated with an understanding of the concept of Moshiach and the Redemption."
One simple kind act or good deed can tip the scale and bring redemption to the entire world. "Moshiach is ready to come now," the Rebbe stated, and continued, "It is only necessary on our part to increase in acts of goodness and kindness."
And that one act might just be mine or yours! Let's do it!