Editing Nitzutz Mashiach - Spark of Mashiach (section)

==== During the Exile ====
Despite the spark usually being hidden - there are several places, times and individuals in whom it is more revealed, as explained in Chassidic teachings:

* '''Chassidic teachings''': The Baal Shem Tov drew into Jewish souls their soul's root called "mazla" (which is the Yechidah of the soul), and therefore he is called Baal Shem Tov, because the level of "Keter Shem Tov" is the level of Moshiach's light that rises above all three crowns.
* '''Leader of the generation''': Since the leader of the generation is the Moshiach of the generation, and his soul is the general Yechidah that includes all souls of the generation (as mentioned above) - therefore the illumination of Moshiach is revealed in him and he gives the power to every Jew to reveal the spark within themselves. This is especially true of Chassidic leaders, who are openly connected to the coming of Moshiach.
* '''Young schoolchildren''': In children, the other soul powers are not developed, and therefore do not conceal the inner point of the soul's essence - thus the spark of Moshiach is more revealed in them. This is also the intention of our Sages when they called children "my anointed ones," as it is said: "Touch not my anointed ones - these are the schoolchildren."
* '''Rosh Chodesh''': On every Rosh Chodesh, when the moon is renewed, there is also renewal within the Jewish people, about whom it is said that they "count by the moon" and "resemble the moon." This renewal is the revelation of the Moshiach spark, which brings renewal to a person's entire existence and brings about the coming of Moshiach.

Chassidic teachings also explain several aspects of a person's divine service through which one can reveal the Moshiach spark (in addition to the fact that all Torah study and mitzvah observance reveals the spark):

* '''Prayer service''': During prayer, a person reveals their inner connection to the Holy One Blessed be He that is beyond reason and knowledge, and the soul temporarily leaves its personal exile; therefore, during this time the Moshiach spark is especially revealed.
* '''Charity''': Since in one's business a person invests their entire soul and faculties to earn money, therefore when they distribute this money for the mitzvah of charity, they reveal the innermost point of their soul and connect it to the Holy One Blessed be He, thereby elevating all their service in Torah and mitzvos - this is the revelation of the Moshiach spark.
* '''Humility''': According to an explanation attributed to the Maggid of Kozhnitz, the desire for attachment to Hashem was damaged in the sin of the Tree of Knowledge through the attribute of pride. When all parts of Moshiach's yearning from all worlds unite through the attribute of humility - the sin of the Tree of Knowledge will be rectified and all parts of Moshiach's stature will unite, as the prophet says that Moshiach will come "poor and riding on a donkey" (meaning - over materiality and pride).
* '''Connection to the leader of the generation and fulfilling his mission''': Since the general aspect of Moshiach shines openly in the leader of the generation (as mentioned above), therefore through connecting to him and fulfilling his mission, the Moshiach spark is revealed in a person, penetrating all ten soul powers. This is also hinted at in the word "shaliach" (messenger), which with the addition of ten equals the gematria of "Moshiach" - when a Jew fulfills their mission with all ten soul powers, they reveal and bring Moshiach. Moreover, the entire purpose of the spark's existence is to give a Jew the power to fulfill their mission. This is especially true regarding Chassidic leaders whose purpose is bringing Moshiach, as studying their teachings assists and effects the revelation of the spark.
* '''Demanding the redemption''': Through anticipating the redemption and declaring "We Want Moshiach Now," a Jew reveals the Moshiach spark within themselves.
* '''Studying matters of Moshiach and redemption''': The Rebbe's instruction to study matters of Moshiach and redemption is "the straight path (the easiest and quickest among all paths of Torah)" to effect the revelation and coming of Moshiach - "beginning with the revelation and coming of Moshiach within each and every Jew."