9010 —המתנה והחשת הגאולה בימי מנחם אב

B"H, the third day, on which "it was doubled for it is good", Brooklyn, NY. The 5th of Menachem Av, toward the night of and also the eve of Menachem Av, 5725.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter.

As we stand in these days, which we have been promised will be transformed into gladness and joy with the coming of our Moshiach—and (in the well-known phrase) even though he may delay, nevertheless I await him every day that he should come, as it is written: "If he tarries, wait for him"—may it be G‑d's will that all this happen speedily in our days very soon.

And as is brought in many places, one can say that by waiting for him, this itself brings closer the coming of Moshiach. And G‑d will act for those who await him; for by doing so they increase in "if they merit," and thus increase and hasten the result—the "I will hasten it."

There is more to add based on our Sages' explanation: "Those who await him are those who press into a matter of wisdom and scrutinize it and await to know with certainty the matter and to recognize their Creator." They strive and exert themselves to clarify the true matter of wisdom until they know their Creator—by overcoming darkness: darkness from within (in intellect or feeling) or from without (the concealment and hiding of the world)—to nullify it; and even more—to transform it into an aid; until—darkness is transformed to light. And may G‑d act so that these days are transformed to gladness and joy (with the coming of our righteous Moshiach).

And from our twelfth principle—belief in Moshiach—to our thirteenth principle—the resurrection of the dead—(and today is also the yahrzeit of the Ari HaChai)—may be fulfilled the prophecy: "These bones shall live," all the house of Israel are they, through G‑d placing His spirit within them so they live; and may be fulfilled: "Your dead shall live; awake and sing you who dwell in dust; a great congregation shall return here," for thus says G‑d: "Sing with joy for Yaakov... I will turn their mourning into joy," says G‑d.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that actively awaiting Moshiach not only expresses faith but actually hastens redemption. By transforming inner and outer darkness into light through effort and anticipation, we help bring about both personal and collective geulah (redemption).