Q:
Why do we wish our fellow Jews a ????? ?????? ???? or a ??? ???? Does that really help the other person?
A:
It depends. When you say to somebody ????? ?????? ???? will it help him? It depends. It depends with how much sincerity you are saying it. If you’re just saying it ???? ????? ??????, without thinking, then it’s worthless. Mamash worthless. But of you’re thinking when you say it, and when he walks away you say it a second time – yes, when he walks away you should say it a second time – then it means something. You hear what I’m telling you? When he walks away, say it over again slowly. ????? ?????? ????. And even better – add your own words. “????? ?? ????, please give this man a year of happiness and parnasa and ???? ???.” He doesn’t hear you. But now you mean it.
When you do it that way, ????? ???? ??? listens. Hashem listens to tzadikim, and you’re a tzadik if you pray for him in that way. ??? ???? ??? ????. Hashem listens. Certainly He listens. When tzadikim give you a bracha, it means something. Of course it means something. Tzadikim can help by giving a bracha.
And same thing with ??? ????. When you say it the first time it doesn’t mean a thing. So when he walks away, repeat it. Say “??? ????. Have a wonderful Shabbos. Enjoy the chulent. Hashem should give you a good nap.” Ohhh, now you’re talking! That’s something; that’s an achievement!
(Rav Avigdor Miller)