Editing Yemos Hamoshiach (section)

== The Days of Moshiach in Chassidic Teachings ==

==== Dwelling in the Lower Realms ====
The Alter Rebbe writes in his [[Tanya]] that '''Yemot HaMoshiach''' (the Messianic Era) is not merely a period of reward payment as is commonly believed, but also the completion of a spiritual process occurring in the world. Therefore, it is the reason and purpose for which the world was created. And so he writes:<blockquote>"It is known that the Messianic Era, particularly when the dead will be resurrected, is the ultimate purpose and perfection of the creation of this world, for which it was created in the first place." — Tanya Chapter 36</blockquote>The [[Talmud|Talmudic]] statement: "[[Rabbi Yochanan]] said the world was created only for Moshiach" can serve as an earlier source for this idea.

The process leading to the Messianic Era, explains the Alter Rebbe, is gradual. Our material world, where spiritual darkness prevails causing the Creator's lack of feeling "at home" so to speak, will be adapted to become a "dwelling" worthy for G-d to dwell in. This is like the upper-spiritual world where all angels and souls recognize the divine reality and behave according to G-d's will, therefore there He feels "at home" since no one acts against His will.

==== The Importance of Mitzvot Versus Torah ====
During [[Galus (Exile)|exile]], it was established in the Talmud that Torah study is more important than performing a mitzvah in cases where the mitzvah is not specifically incumbent upon him and can be performed by others: "Once [[Rabbi Tarfon]] and the Elders were reclining in the upper chamber of Beit Natzeh in [[Lod]]. This question was asked before them: Is [[study]] greater or [[Action (Levush)|action]] greater? Rabbi Tarfon answered saying: Action is greater. [[Rabbi Akiva]] answered saying: Study is greater. Everyone answered and said: Study is greater - for it leads to action." Meaning: Study is more important because without it we would not know how to fulfill the mitzvot.

The Alter Rebbe innovates that "all this is specifically now. But in the future to come, it will be reversed - the mitzvot will be higher than Torah, and action will be greater than study." The explanation for this change is deep and lengthy, but in essence: Torah study and mitzvah observance are meant to connect a person to the divine will and wisdom. When a person studies Torah, he connects to holiness through his intellect and understanding, and when a person performs mitzvot - his connection is through his power of action.

The power of understanding is a much more internal and valuable faculty than the power of action, and therefore when a person connects to holiness through it - the connection is deeper and higher. This is the inner meaning of the determination "study is greater": learning creates a more important and elevated connection. However, in the future, the soul level that motivates a Jew to perform mitzvot with complete acceptance of the yoke will be revealed - a level that is more internal than the power of understanding. For the soul's movement to obey unquestioningly and meticulously every divine command, even without understanding its logic - stems from the essence of the Jewish soul being connected to the Holy One, blessed be He, Himself in a uniquely wonderful way that has no equal. Today, indeed, this attachment is hidden and concealed - but in the future it will be revealed in all its glory, and then the importance of "action" will be elevated above "study."