A Jew Can't Be at Ease in Golus

The whole world, our Sages say, was created for the sake of Israel. It therefore follows that the state of affairs in the world parallels the state of affairs within Jewry. That “the earth sits still and is at ease,” and “the nations are at ease,” indicates that the same situation exists among Jews. Some Jews, claiming that they possess all their material and spiritual needs, are not upset that they are in exile. They sit at ease and in peace, unworried by their exiled state.

These Jews pray three times a day (on weekdays), “Speedily cause the scion of David Your servant to flourish ... for we hope for Your salvation all day.” But they forget about this immediately after prayer, and in their everyday life, “sit still” and are “at ease.” How can a Jew be self-complacent knowing that “the sons are exiled from their Father’s table”?

“We hope for Your salvation all day” means that a Jew thinks and hopes for Moshiach’s coming every moment of the day. And at the time he is hoping for the redemption, he certainly will not be sitting at ease.

Sicha of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Shabbos Mishpotim, 24th Day of Shevat, 5744