Exile is termed pregnancy, and redemption birth.

In the womb, a fetus has all its limbs and powers, yet its “head is between its legs.” Not functioning properly. Only at birth does living truly begin.

So too in exile: A Jew may learn Torah, daven with devotion, and feel love and fear of G-d, yet he does not truly see G-dliness. The world appears self-sustaining, and only through heavy contemplation does he conclude a G-dly power sustains it. Even mitzvos can become rote, without feeling.

When Moshiach comes, we will see G-dliness with our physical eyes. Then, in our Torah learning, we will feel the Giver of the Torah. In our mitzvos, we will feel the connection to G-d accomplished through them. The Rebbe informs us we are starting to see the start of the actual birthing process now!

(See Torah Ohr parshas va’eira, Sefer Hasichos Acharei-kedoshim 5751 pg. 517 and more! )