Translating the above into practical terms. Despite the "uproar" associated with this matter in recent times within this year, the year of "I shall show him wonders," and after witnessing the wonders which testify that this is "The year that the King Moshiach will be revealed," we see how difficult it is to inculcate the awareness and the feeling that we are literally standing on the threshold of the Messianic Era, to the point that one begins to "thrive" on matters of Moshiach and Redemption...
The solution to this dilemma is Torah study concerning Moshiach and Redemption. For Torah - which is G-d's wisdom, and thus transcends the natural order of the universe - has the capacity to alter the nature of man.
Even when one's emotions are still outside the parameters of Redemption - G-d forbid - (because he has not yet emerged from his internal exile), he can nevertheless learn the Torah's teachings concerning Redemption, and thereby be one elevated to the state of Redemption. One then begins to thrive on matters of Redemption, borne of the knowledge, awareness and feeling that "Behold he is coming."
(From the talk of Shabbos Parshas Balak, 17 (numerically equivalent to "tov-good") Tammuz, 5751)
10. See the comments of our sages on the verse "Lo'keil gomer oh'lye" (Talmud Yerushlami, Kesubos, 1:2. See there for cross references. Cited in Halacha by the Shach (and Shulchan Aruch of the Alter Rebbe), Yoreh Deah, sec. 189:13(23)).
The Announcement of the Redemption
This can be attained when one's intellect is filled with the comprehension of the Torah concepts of Moshiach and Redemption. This intellectual awareness then extends to and permeates one's emotions, and then translates into thought, speech and action consistent with this very auspicious period of time when we stand on the threshold of Redemption and we are able to point with our finger "Behold he (he King Moshiach) has come."
One might suggest an additional rationale for the need and the virtue of studying the Torah's teachings concerning Moshiach, Redemption and the building of the third Temple; as an entrance into the Messianic Era:
Although our Sages have declared that Moshiach will come "when we are distracted from his coming," this does not contradict, G-d forbid, the need for thought and reflection of the most powerful order on matters of Moshiach and Redemption. This means primarily thought and reflection that we are now standing at the very entrance of the Messianic Era, that "Behold he is coming," since all the deadlines have since passed, teshuvah has been done and all of the different aspects of our Divine service have been completed in accordance with the details mentioned above. The resolution of this apparent contradiction is that the term for distraction, "Hesech HaDa'as" (literally "removing one's knowledge") actually means transcending one's knowledge.
This implies that after one has allowed this matter of Moshiach to permeate one's intellect (by applying one's thought and constant reflection, etc.) one then reaches the level where this then transcends one's knowledge.
7. Sanhedrin 97a.
8. Da'as, the type of knowledge where "one binds his mind with an extremely powerful and strong bond; firmly attaching one's thought." - Tanya, end of ch. 3.
9. Tanya, Igeres HaKodesh (105b).
