Editing Completion of the Exile's Work (section)

== Work of Refinement ==
(Expanded article - '''Work of Refinement''')

One of the tasks in exile is the work of refinement (avodat habirurim). With every performance of a mitzvah, a Jew refines the divine spark hidden within physicality and elevates it to holiness. The redemption is destined to come at the completion and conclusion of the work of refinement, when mankind and the entire world will be purified through the perfection of refinement accomplished through human service, making the world worthy of fulfilling the redemption's promises in a literal sense: "And I will remove the spirit of impurity from the earth" - the complete elimination of all evil in the world. As the Alter Rebbe wrote: "The reason the exile has continued for so much longer than seventeen hundred years is known to be for the purpose of refining the 288 sparks, and when all the refinements are completed, Moshiach will come speedily in our days, Amen."

In the year 5751 (1991), the Rebbe announced that this work has been completed:<blockquote>"The work of the time of exile has already been completed in gathering and collecting the sparks (for which purpose G-d exiled Israel among the nations) throughout the entire world." — Parshat Vayeshev 5751, section 11</blockquote><blockquote>"As has been discussed several times recently, after the extraordinary abundance of our deeds and service throughout all generations... we have already completed all the refinements, including the refinement of 'Esau, who is Edom'... Indeed, Esau has already been completely refined, as we see even in our time (the exile of Edom) in the conduct of nations associated with 'Esau, who is Edom,' in a manner of kingdom of kindness (and this conduct is spreading to other countries, as has been seen especially recently) - it is understood that we are now already in a state where the physical body and even the physicality of the world have already been completely refined and purified, and they are 'vessels' ready for all spiritual lights and matters, including and especially - the light of our righteous Moshiach, the light of the true and complete redemption."

— Parshat Vayetzei 5752, section 18</blockquote>Nevertheless, the Rebbe noted that sparks do remain in the world, but not as part of the work of refinement necessary for Moshiach's coming, rather as a special task:<blockquote>"After 'our deeds and service' of all the Jewish people throughout all generations... all matters have already been completed and perfected also from the perspective (and within) the world... From this it is understood that the continuation of the work thereafter (for as long as our righteous Moshiach is delayed for some reason (completely unknown and incomprehensible)) is not 'the work of refinement' (since the work of refinement has already been completed and perfected), but rather, a special work to bring about the actual revelation in the world."

— Parshat Vayishlach 5752, section 11</blockquote>