We are always standing in the present, between the history of exile and destruction and the future of the complete redemption and the Days of Mashiach. The question is: How can we make the necessary transition from the present to the future? According to Beit Hillel, we are stepping out towards the future, but when all is said and done, for the meantime, we are still part of the imperfect past. Beit Shamai makes the transition by leaping directly into the future and sensing the future right now.
Although the halachic (Jewish legal) ruling is currently according to Beit Hillel, Kabbalah teaches us that in the future the halachic ruling will follow Beit Shamai’s opinion. So for the time being, it is up to us to practice looking at time from Beit Shamai’s perspective, bringing the glowing future into our lives, right now. This is the meaning of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s instruction to his chassidim and to us all, to “live with Mashiach” right now. Look around and see Mashiach in the world.
{Taken from a Chanukah farbrengen with Rabbi Ginsburgh, 29th Kislev 5770}