JEWS SHOULD TURN TOWARD RELIGION AND PERFORM GOOD DEEDS WHEN AWAITING THE MOSHIACH [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)]

Rabbi Elazar was asked by his students, “What can a person do to be spared from the birth pangs of the Moshiach?” [He answered,] “One should occupy oneself with Torah and acts of chesed.”

[Sanhedrin 98b; see also Maharal, ad. Loc., s.v. “v’ka’amar lei”)

This means to say, if the time of the redemption arrives… meaning, we are lacking in Torah, the redemption will occur by means of a burdensome and powerful exile, during which the nations will oppress Israel…

[Ohr HaChaim, Bereishis 49:11, s.v. “u’bedam anavim”]