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In Jewish singer Meilech Kohn's song, "Veuhavtu", he expresses an interesting thought in the lyrics:

.יעדער איינער דאווענט און בעט און מ'ווארט פאר משיח, ער וועט נאר קומען ווען מיר פארטראגן זיך

"Everyone prays and begs and waits for Moshiach; he will only come when we all get along."

This is a nice idea, however, I've never heard it expressed in any sources. Is there a source for this idea, that through the mitzvah of ואהבת לרעך כמוך we can merit Moshiach?

By the way, an a capella version of the song can be found here from Ari Goldwag.

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    Aren't there numerous drashim (I think Chafetz Chaim, most notably) that stated that since the 2nd Bet Hamikdash was destroyed b/c of Sinat Chinam then the 3rd Bet Hamidash would be hastened via Ahavat Chinam? Isn't that the best "proof"?
    – DanF
    Apr 16, 2018 at 23:15
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    here's it is quoted in the name of HaRav Kook: thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/sinat-chinam-1.8105 . Here it is quoted in the name of the Chofetz Chaim: 1daastorah.blogspot.com/2013/07/…
    – Menachem
    Apr 16, 2018 at 23:26
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    Lubavitcher Rebbe said it a lot at public speeches. "hastened via ahavas chinam ; being oppositie of sinas chinam which therefore has the opposite effect of destruction."
    – David Kenner
    Apr 16, 2018 at 23:30
  • Logically, the main "goal" of Mashiach is to bring about unity. Physical unity by the gathering of people to one place - land of Israel, and spiritual unity by having everyone recognize G-d. When you consider this, wouldn't the lack of hatred and petty / baseless disputes fit into the unity concept, as well. If we prepare for that, in advance, it seems to me that a large part of Mashiach's "job" would already be done.
    – DanF
    Apr 17, 2018 at 2:09
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    @m.r. You are correct. But, remember that Hillel (in a sense) and Rav Akiva stated that this mitzvah alone is the basis of the Torah; all else is commentary. Ahah! That implies that every other mitzvah is based on unity and love for our fellow. Preparing for Mashiach means that we need to prepare ourselves for the concept and understanding of unity and, specifically, this single mitzvah, alone.
    – DanF
    Apr 18, 2018 at 2:58

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This idea can be found in Medrash Tanchuma, Nitzavim 1:

וְכֵן אַתְּ מוֹצֵא שֶׁאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל נִגְאֲלִין עַד שֶׁיִּהְיוּ כֻּלָּן אֲגֻדָּה אַחַת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: בַּיָּמִים הָהֵמָּה וּבָעֵת הַהִיא נְאֻם ה' יָבֹאוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבְנֵי יְהוּדָה יַחְדָּו וְגוֹ' (ירמיה נ, ד). כְּשֶׁהֵן אֲגוּדִים, מְקַבְּלִין פְּנֵי שְׁכִינָה

Yisroel will not be redeemed until they will all be one group, as it says: "In those days and at that time—declares the LORD—the people of Israel together with the people of Judah shall come, etc." (Yirmiya 50:4) When they are a group, they receive the face of the shchina

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    Another clear, fast, and well-sourced answer!
    – רבות מחשבות
    Apr 17, 2018 at 3:24
  • Very nice; kol hakavod! To other users: I would like to hear other sources as well.
    – ezra
    Apr 17, 2018 at 4:08

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