30) Don't Make Mashiach G-d's Problem:

On one occasion a student of another rebbe happened to visit Kotzk. 

The Kotzker inquired as to the others rebbe’s well being and the said to the student; “I love your rebbe very much. But why is he always crying out to G-d to send the messiah?  Wouldn’t it be better if he rather cried out to the people (themselves) to return (to G-d)? – This is the meaning of the verse ‘Why cry out to Me (G-d)? Speak unto the children of Israel.’[1] “[2]

The Kotzker Rebbe is reminding us not to fall back onto the misleading notion so common in religious circles to throw every challenge back at G-d. 

In Kotzk spiritual deflection is not a virtue. We only grow when we dare to face real challenges within the real world.

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[1] Shmot 14, 15

[2] Amud HaEmet p. 45, par.2

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.