6) Mashiach Will Come When Judaism becomes 'Nicer':

The Kotzker says: “Towards the end of days the quality of Torah (study) and Avodah (ritual) will diminish (when compared to earlier times), and be replaced by acts of kindness.”[1]

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[1] Amud HaEmet p. 17, par 4.

This teaching has its origin in the context of G-d’s promise to Avraham, ‘BeCha Chotmin (And they will conclude with you’). Of the three Patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov who are mentioned at the beginning of the first blessing of the Shmonei Esrei, only Avraham is mentioned in the concluding brocha (‘Baruch Atah HaShem Magen Avraham’). This is taken as the fulfillment of G-d’s promise to Avraham to ‘conclude’ with him.

The Kotzker, however, takes this one step further and suggests that ‘concluding with Avraham’ also refers to concluding the era before Mashiach with an emphasis on a Judaism of kindness (a character trait which corresponds to Avraham) - as opposed to the historic and traditional emphasis on legality and scholarship.

3) Torah Study has Nothing to do with Torah Study:

Unlike all other types of literature, the QUALITY of Torah learning is not predicated upon the QUANTITY of knowledge one has acquired. Surprisingly, the QUALITY of Torah study is determined by something that has absolutely nothing to do with intellectualism, namely; derech eretz (descent and appropriate behaviour).

The Kotzker says: “The statement ’Derech eretz precedes (kadmah la) Torah’ implies that just like a prologue to a book (which in Hebrew is called a hakdamah), informs a reader as to the contents of the book, so too does derech eretz inform the observer as to the quality of Torah learning the individual has achieved.” [1]

In essence then, Torah study has nothing to do with just Torah study.

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[1] Amud HaEmet p.14 par.4