IN THE GEULAH, THIS GENERATION WILL LIFT ALL PREVIOUS GENERATIONS

 “When you light the lamps”… “the flame should rise up on its own” (Behaaloscha 8:2. Rashi, ibid.) That the “flame should rise up on its own” is primarily emphasized in the recent generations, ikvesa d’ikvesa de’Meshicha, the heels – the final footsteps of Moshiach – particularly in our generation, the last generation of the golus.

Although the Gemara (Yevamos 39b) asks “is the generation worthy?” –especially the one immediately preceding Moshiach – ikvesa de’Meshicha, (as the Gemara states in the conclusion of Tractate Sotah); Even the qualities and virtues of this generation come as a continuation of the previous generations, and we receive the accumulation of the Torah, mitzvos and Divine service from the generations before us.

Thus the “kindling of the lamp” of our generation is a result of the previous generation – nevertheless we have been empowered that immediately after that “the flame shall rise up on its own.” Moreover, it is specifically the “heel of the foot,” the very last generation, that has the power to “rise up on its own” and to elevate all the previous generations – as the final generation of the golus becomes the first generation of the Redemption, of all Jews, of all generations!

This is particularly relevant, as the “Shepherd,” the Aharon HaKohen of our generation the Previous Rebbe, Nasi Doreinu, has openly demonstratted his love for every Jew, including those in the category of “loving your fellow creatures, and bringing them near to the Torah” (Avos 1:12), through his activities in spreading the fountains of Chassidus outward. Especially through his proclomations of “l’Alter l’teshuvah – l’Alter l’Geulah” (immediately to teshuvah – immediately to Redemption), and his announcement that “We only have to polish the buttons.” Following that, this too has been completed, and we have to “stand prepared” to greet Moshiach in the true and complete Geulah.

As a result, this should add even more joy and enthusiasm in concluding the Divine service of “standing prepared” to greet Moshiach, especially by adding in the illumination of one’s environment through Torah and mitzvos until it illuminates the entire world, and immediately – we will all go, “with our young and old, our sons and daughters” to our Holy land, in Yerushalayim the Holy city, to the Holy mountain, the Third Beis HaMikdash, and in the Holy of Holies. (Sefer HaSichos 5751 p. 613)