The second chapter of Pirkei Avos begins: “Rebbi [Yehudah HaNassi] says, ‘Which is the right path that a man should choose for himself?’”
This statement of Rebbi Yehudah HaNassi is difficult to understand, for is the Torah not replete with directives of the path that a person should follow? Why should Rebbi suddenly ask which way a person should choose?
This can be understood in the context of our current era:
In our generation — the last generation of golus, “Ikvesa d’Meshicha” (the footsteps of Moshiach) — when we have completed all aspects of the Divine service required during the time of golus,
The question now is: Since we have already completed our actions and Divine service throughout the duration of the golus, what is the right path, i.e., the easiest and quickest among all paths of Torah, that the Jewish people should choose to realize the revelation and coming of Moshiach?
Since Moshiach is ready to come immediately, but he has not yet come in actuality, therefore the final effort of every Jew is to bring Moshiach by studying and learning the topics of King Moshiach and Geulah in Torah, as they are discussed in many places [which can easily be found by accessing the various indices etc, under the headings: Moshiach, Geulah, etc].
These places are: the written Torah, the oral Torah, the Talmud (particularly in the tractates Sanhedrin and the end of Sotah) and the Medrashim; and especially in pnimius HaTorah (the inner dimension of Torah), beginning with Zohar, the teachings of Chassidus (through disseminating the fountains of Chassidus Moshiach will come), the Torah of our Rebbei’im our Nesi’im, and particularly the Torah (Maamorim and Likkutei Sichos) of the Nassi of our generation. Studying this is a sample and foretaste of the Torah of Moshiach, for he will teach the inner dimensions of Torah and knowledge of G-dliness to all the people, as the Rambam writes “In that time. . . Jews will be great sages and know hidden matters, attaining knowledge of their Creator.”
This increase in learning the topics in Torah related to Moshiach and Redemption is “the straight path” to actually bring about the revelation and coming of Moshiach.
What I mean here in actuality — and certainly this will be publicized everywhere:
In order to realize the immediate revelation and coming of Moshiach, every Jew (the men, whether they are involved in learning, or men of business; and the women and children, each according to their ability) should increase their learning of Torah, particularly in the topics of Moshiach and Geulah.
It would be more appropriate if they learn in public with ten others because, in addition to the fact that the Divine presence rests among ten people who sit together and learn Torah, there is a particular advantage when learning in public about Moshiach and Redemption. This public learning affects and enhances the enthusiasm and excitement and heart felt joy which intensifies the yearning and anticipation for the coming of Moshiach.
Additionally, one should add in his commitment to the observance of mitzvos, and particularly the mitzvah of tzedakah (which is equivalent to all the mitzvos) and it has the distinction of bringing closer the Redemption (as is stated in the Talmud (Bava Basra 10a).
The increase in tzedakah should be associated with the increase in learning Torah related to Moshiach and Geulah. Because when one gives tzedakah with the thought that this will hasten the Redemption, this thought in itself constitutes the learning of Torah related to Geulah. For when one thinks of the saying of our Sages, “Great is tzedakah for it brings closer the Redemption,” this in itself constitutes learning topics related to Moshiach and Geulah.
(Shabbos Parshas Tazria-Metzorah, 6 Iyar, 5751)
