BS’D
The students of the Besht asked what is the core work to hasten the redemption? There was a time when the earlier Sages would fast from Shabbat to Shabbat and subjugate their body to harsh conditions in order to bring out the soul’s energy.
Yet, the Besht suggests that the Jew can illuminate her soul through three simpler avenues:
Love of G-d
Love of Torah
Love of Israel (loving thy neighbor as one loves themselves)
G-d constricts His light, so to speak, through these avenues more so than others. Embedded in each letter of Torah is endless loving light and wisdom, guidance and embrace. Additionally, each one of us holds a piece of G-d, a spark of infinite light and perfection. Therefore when we love another, we love that part of G-d that she holds within her; this in turn illuminates the G-dly light we hold within ourselves. We are then left feeling safe, loved and cared for.