Editing Avodat HaGalut (section)

== The Required Work in Exile ==
Several explanations have been given regarding the work required of the Jewish people while in exile, which when completed will allow the redemption to come:

==== Avodat HaBirurim (Work of Refinement) ====
Expanded entry – '''[[Avodat HaBirurim - The Work of Refinement|Avodat HaBirurim]]'''

On the statement of our Sages - "The Holy One, blessed be He, exiled Israel among the nations only so that converts would be added to them" - Chassidic teachings explain that this is not only to be understood literally (since not many converts were added during the years of exile that would justify the entire descent into exile). Rather, the meaning of "converts" refers to the sparks of holiness that were scattered throughout the world and in physical things. Through the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the world, they refine and elevate the sparks of holiness in each and every place, so that at the completion of this work, the entire world becomes worthy and ready for redemption.

==== Teshuvah (Repentance) ====
It is stated in the Gemara "All the predestined dates [for redemption] have passed, and the matter depends only on teshuvah." And so the Rambam ruled "The Torah has promised that Israel will ultimately repent at the end of their exile, and immediately they will be redeemed."

In Chassidus, the reason why the work of teshuvah is necessary before the redemption is explained: a. Because in the future, evil will be nullified, and therefore there is a need to nullify evil from the human perspective. b. Because through teshuvah, we draw down the unlimited divine light that will be revealed in the redemption.

The reason why specifically teshuvah brings about the revelation of the redemption, and good deeds alone are not sufficient - is because teshuvah involves transforming evil into good. And specifically in transforming evil to good there is innovation that doesn't exist in regular service - like the metaphor of a talking bird, which brings greater pleasure than a person who speaks. And precisely this innovation will bring about the revelation of the great pleasure that will be revealed in the future.

==== Nullifying the Cause of Exile ====
In the Gemara it is stated that the cause of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash was due to baseless hatred that existed within it. Accordingly, the Rebbe frequently encouraged that we should increase in Ahavat Yisrael and baseless love, which serves as a rectification for the cause of exile; and when the cause of exile is nullified, the exile itself will automatically be nullified and the Third Beit Hamikdash will be built.

==== Spreading the Wellsprings ====
On Rosh Hashanah 5507 (1746), the Baal Shem Tov ascended spiritually to the chamber of Moshiach, and asked, "When will the master come?" Moshiach replied, "When your wellsprings (the teachings of Chassidut) spread outward."

In light of this, our Rebbeim engaged in spreading the wellsprings to every place in the world, with this work intensifying from generation to generation. In the seventh generation, the Rebbe emphasized this work especially as the primary service of our generation, which is the "gateway" to all other matters. "Spreading the wellsprings" includes spreading Judaism in general, but primarily spreading the teachings of Chassidut.

==== The War of the House of David ====
The Rebbe Rashab, in a special talk to the Temimim students, explained the statement of our Sages, "Anyone who goes out to the war of the House of David writes a bill of divorce to his wife," and explained that this is the role of the Temimim - soldiers of the House of David - to fight against those "who have scorned the footsteps of your Moshiach" and to defeat them.