The 15th of Av is a festival and day of joy. One of the reasons is that on this day “death ceased for the dor ha’midbar;” Hashem granted them a reprieve, and He rescinded the decree [to that generation] to remain in the midbar. This was at the end of the 40 years in the wilderness, and all those that survived and remained alive were prepared to enter Eretz Yisrael.
The Previous Rebbe, the Nasi of our generation, has announced, yet in his time, “l’Alter l’teshuva l’alter l’Geula” (immediate repentance, immediate Redemption) and he stated that the avodah is already completed, we only have to “polish the buttons,” and for “everyone to stand prepared to greet Moshiach”. How much more so, now, after several decades have passed since that announcement.
Thus, it is certain that this generation of ours is the last generation of the galus, and the first generation of the Geulah – (similar to the generation that entered Eretz Yisrael after the 15th of Av).
As we are in such close proximity to the 15th of Av, wherein is emphasized the end of the galus, and the readiness to enter Eretz Yisrael in the complete and eternal Geulah (which will not be followed by any galus) – this has to be reflected in our avodah: We must place special emphasis and additional focus in all that is tied to hastening the Geulah, especially and including – the yearning, requesting and praying for the Geulah (similar to the pleading of Moshe, [“515 prayers,”] to make the entry into Eretz Yisrael a permanent and eternal one).
It is incumbent on each and every individual to honestly evaluate themselves: What has he done until now to hasten the Geulah?!...
Especially when one considers that Moshiach is standing and waiting with bated breath to redeem the Jewish people (as is obvious from the gemara (Sanhedrin 98a) that he doesn't untie two wounds at a time to avoid being delayed to re-bandage two wounds) – after every individual will fulfill all that is dependant on them to hasten the Geulah;
Considering that Moshiach is personally standing and waiting for his action, one can understand the great responsibility and obligation placed upon him, together with the great merit and privilege therein,
Thus when Moshiach will come very soon, he will thank each and every one for their activities to hasten his coming, and not only will he thank, but he will also add and give of his favors, spiritual favors, beginning with his teaching Torah “new dimensions in Torah will come from Me” (Yeshayahu 51:4. Vayikra Rabba 13:3), and material favors, when “good will emanate in abundance and all delightful things will be accessible as dust” (Rambam end of hilchos Melachim).
(Sefer HaSichos 5748 p. 584)
