Based on the Dvar Malchus Shabbos Parshas Acharei-Kidoshim 5751
We all know that a wedding is a very happy event, and therefore we know how to prepare for it. We have a band come, special outfits are made, and we invite our good friends who will celebrate with us. In contrast, going on a nature trip is a nice thing, but a band or specially prepared clothing isn't appropriate. We would take our backpacks and whatever necessary equipment. Every situation requires a different kind of preparation. When we know what will be in the redemption, we'll know how to prepare for it.
Based on the above, we can ask a question. "Gola" means a dark and bitter golus, whereas "geulah" means just the opposite – freedom and happiness. In Hebrew, the words "gola" and "geulah" are written nearly the same. The difference is the additional alef in the word "geulah". How can two opposites share almost the same name? Furthermore, how can the "geulah" be in the "gola"?
How do we get ready?
As a follow up the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach Shlita's sicha on chof ches Nisan when the Rebbe said, "...Do all that you can in order to bring Moshiah Tzidkeinu in actuality..." the Rebbe teaches us the following sicha that deals entirely with the redemption and how to bring it about. Let's learn the sicha.
"...In connection to what was discussed recently about the true and complete redemption, which we are waiting for daily and hope that every day that it come...immediately, mamash, and what was discussed that each and every one of us has to do something in order to bring about the redemption – it would be appropriate to pause momentarily and explain what the redemption is really about and therefore it would be easier for us to understand what we have to do in order to bring about the redemption and plan for it..."
How do we bring about the redemption? Some people suggested to the Rebbe a series of fasts in order to bring the Moshiach and redemption. Perhaps we should stop going to work and instead do special things that would bring it about. Perhaps with the tefillin campaign. Another possible idea would be to roll in the snow which is meant as a self punishment (and maybe Hashem will forgive us). People might come up with all kinds of suggestions, but when we are aware what the geulah is all about, we can get ready for it.
Down here is the place
Some people think that Moshiach will take us to some kind of a Garden of Eden and we will leave our world behind us forever with all that it includes, such as our houses, our businesses and our toys.
In truth, we won't leave anything behind, nor will we leave this world. "Geulah" (redemption) means freedom. The world will remain as it is. The difference will be that it will be in a state of freedom.
How do we define freedom? When people don't know what they're really supposed to do in life, they are confused. They are enslaved by their evil inclination that causes them to do all kinds of bad things and be sad. They feel enslaved to bad people who control the world. They cannot do what they really want to do.
In the complete redemption, everyone will know that their job and the purpose of creation is to serve Hashem. Everyone will feel happy and serve Hashem with joy. The world will remain the same. The difference will be that the world will be free and happy.
"Hashem desired for His dwelling place to be in this world". Hashem wishes to be revealed in our world; not in the Garden of Eden or in the heavens.
For that reason Hashem sent the soul down here. It's impossible to be in the Garden of Eden and to bring about the redemption. The soul has to come into this world, invested in a physical body, and to do mitzvos in this world. The redemption will take place here, in this world.
The Moshiach will not reveal himself in the Garden of Eden or in the spiritual world of Atzilus. He will reveal himself here, build the Beis Hamikdash, and will perform tichiyas hameisim (the resurrection of the dead). Hashem wants to dwell and be here in this world.
The Rebbe summarizes with the following:
"...The outstanding attribute and perfection of the true and complete redemption is that everything will be in a state of freedom, nothing will be lost chas veshalom in the golus and nothing will be left behind. Even these will be redeemed. The redemption will be the true and complete redemption in terms of quantity and quality in every respect, (affecting) the biggest to the smallest. Every one, "...Our children, our elders, etc. our sons and daughters and whatever pertains to them in the world – their silver and gold with them", with all that they did and achieved in the golus. The redemption will free everyone, including the nations of the world, and everything else in the world, each and every individual and whatever belongs to them..."
There's nothing to be afraid of
What can we apply from all of the above to ourselves? Some people are afraid of Moshiach's coming. They're afraid that they will lose their business that they built up over the years. There are children that think that there will be no more toys when he comes. What should we do when he finally comes?
Once the Rebbe Melech Hamoshiach told a doctor that in the Yimos Hamoshiach (the Messianic Era) there will no longer be sick people. The doctor will not be out of work. He will have a unique job. He will let people know that they are healthy.
No one will lose when the redemption comes. Everyone will continue doing what they did before. The difference is before and after. Before the redemption, everything was just regular, nothing really special. Once the redemption starts, everything that's done will reveal Hashem's presence. A businessman will use his connections to help another Jew with his Torah and mitzvos.
Gola = Geulah
Now we can understand why the words gola and geulah in Hebrew are so similar. The additional letter alef, referring to Hashem, changes the gola (golus) into geulah.
Now we also know what to do in order to bring about the redemption. Fasting will not help, nor staying away from people, nor being sad. What will bring the redemption faster is to do mitzvos, especially the mitzvah of tzedaka. In addition, we should also use our businesses to influence and help other Jews to learn Torah and do mitzvos, as the Rebbe says:
"...Furthermore, and most important, by disseminating Torah and Judaism, and disseminating the wellsprings of Chassidus to the outmost places, including and especially – to arouse Jews the world over to add in Torah learning and mitzvah performance, as well as influencing the nations of the world to observe the 7 Universal Laws..."
We should merit seeing the true and complete redemption in our world immediately – mamash!
