The abode that G-d desires for Himself here in this physical world - He could have, theoretically, created it on His own! But He wants that we be the frontline workers that make it happen.
The times of Moshiach are not simply a reward for our contribution towards his arrival, like a salary for a loyal worker at the end of the month. Moshiach is a *direct result* of our efforts. It is a change that comes about *because we made it happen*. It is like a farmer who plows the earth, plants the seeds in the ground, and waters and nurtures the crop. The bounty is a direct result of his toil! With each good deed that we do, we are slowly adding more light to the world. In the future, we will actually see the light.
Reality is composed of many layers, including tangible and intangible experiences. Intangible reality includes things such as: Spirituality, Beliefs, Intentions, Logic Emotions. Tangible reality refers to the palpable components of existence: Food, Possessions, Habits, Bodies, Even the animal soul…
The job of mankind is to inculcate spirituality into the _lowest, most mundane_ level of creation. When we mindfully utilize a physical object for a holy and noble purpose, G-dliness penetrates it and becomes an inseparable part of its existence.
This is what happens, for example, to the parchment used for Tefillin, a mezuzah, or a Torah scroll. Therefore, though cows don't get buried in cemeteries, their hides can be *transformed* into parchment for mezuzot, tefillin, or Torah scrolls. At the end of the lifespan of these holy objects they are buried in a cemetery. Not all animals can become holy, however. It has to have been created as a kosher animal, one that is permissible for us to eat. A building can’t be wired with plastic wires. Only metal conducts electricity… So too, Different creatures conduct 〰〰〰 different spiritual energies. Pure objects, things that are not beholden to the forces of spiritual impurity, can connect with divine energy. Items that the Torah prohibits us from utilizing cannot conduct spiritual energy and therefore, can never become elevated into holiness. A work of art transforms raw material into something meaningful and even spiritual. The object becomes so much more than just a hunk of wood or dab of paint…. We are all spiritual artists when we fulfill a commandment. Our physical actions, utilizing the physical material, express a spiritual dimension that was imperceivable before we interacted with it. These results cannot be achieved with intention or thought alone. Only through our deeds can we transform raw material into sacred objects . Learning and prayer fall into a unique category of mitzvah in which no object is utilized, nor is an action required --- Unless you move your lips. _Moving your lips is considered the action of the mitzvah._ Although at first glance, the primary aim of: *Study* - is comprehending the information *Prayer* - is authentically connecting with G-d… Something critical occurs when you recite the words of prayer or Torah! The divine soul has no access to your lips and mouth. It has no way of controlling them. It needs to partner with your animal soul in order to use them for a mitzvah. Through praying or learning Torah, your mouth become elevated, the energy that moved those lips becomes holy, and your animal soul gets refined along with it! Uttering the words of the material you are studying helps you retain the knowledge better 🥺. Your animal soul and body are naturally inclined to physical, tangible pursuits. As soon as she gets distracted by something that excites her more, she simply forgets those “irrelevant” spiritual notions and theories. The trick to overcoming forgetfulness is to involve the animal soul, as much as possible, in the learning process. As an active participant, the animal soul develops a connection to the knowledge, finds meaning and relevance 😍 in it, and is then able to retain it better.
