The shlichus of every Jew, in general, especially in the generation of ikvesa d’meshicha (the footsteps of Moshiach), is to make a dwelling place for Hashem here in this lowly world – and through this to bring Moshiach, at which time it will be revealed and seen by all that this world is a dwelling place for Hashem; This is brought about through our avoda and deeds in the time of golus.
This is expressed by the fact that the numerical value of word Shliach (in Hebrew) is 348 - when combined with 10 – equals (the numerical value of) Moshiach (358). This is an indication, that avodas haShlichus brings the Geula closer.
About Avraham avinu, the first Jew, the Torah tells us (Rashi Chayei Sarah 24:7):
"When G-d summoned me from the house of my father, he was G-d of the heavens but not of the earth: the inhabitants of the earth did not recognize Him and His name was not referred to in the land. But now that I have made His name familiar in the mouths of His creatures, He is G-d in both heaven and earth."
Avraham’s affect on the world is, as described by the gemara (Sotah 10b) on the passuk (Vayera 21:33) And there he called in the Name of G-d, L-rd of the Universe, Our Sages explain that he taught the inhabitants to call the Name of G-d, Master of the world; he taught them to recognize and appreciate that G-d is Creator and Master of the world; he revealed G-dliness.
When Avraham taught this attribute to his descendants he also gave us the responsibility to go out and follow in his footsteps, to reveal G-dliness in the distant places of the world.
It is obvious that this mission cannot be accomplished by sitting around at home, but only by traveling out and reaching the distant points of the world and revealing G-dliness there.
When the Nassi appoints his emissaries and they carry out their mission with commitment, devotion and great care, using their ten soul-powers, then the "Shliach" (348) plus his ten powers, becomes "Moshiach." In him the sender is revealed and then the ultimate revelation of Moshiach will actually come.
In every generation there is a Nassi and Shepherd of the Jewish People who is the "Moshe Rabbeinu" of that generation. As the Zohar states: There is an extension of Moshe in every generation.
Inasmuch as Moshe was the first redeemer and will also be the ultimate redeemer, it follows that the Moshe of every generation, the Nassi or leader, is also the Moshiach, the redeemer of that generation.
Those who argue that they have difficulty grasping this concept and are still grappling with the principle that the Nassi is Moshiach - no matter - let them simply carry out the directives of the Nassi by disseminating Torah, Yiddishkeit and the "wellsprings" to the outside.
This includes strengthening the faith in the advent of Moshiach and the longing for his coming. As the Rambam rules, Moshiach will be a "King from the family of Dovid ..." in this physical, world. And anyone who does not trust in his coming and does not long for Moshiach, it is as if he negates and denies the whole Torah.
At the same time, the belief in, and prayer for, Moshiach will speed his coming. For this reason we say three times daily: "Speedily cause the scion of Dovid Your servant to flourish...." [see Midrash, Radak, Chida and others.]
(Eve of Simchas Torah, before Hakofos, 5746)
