In the teachings of Kabbalah Moshiach is referred to as the “general Yechida.” Yechida refers to the deepest of the five levels of the soul. The first level, nefesh, is the one most connected to the body and the power of action. The next, ruach, is expressed through our emotions. Neshama is the power of intellect, and Chaya, the fourth level, is a more general power that is not limited to any particular part of the body. The Yechida is the essence of the soul, one that is indivisible from G-d. With the power of this spark of G-d within us, our soul is connected to G-d with an absolute unity, and therefore it is called Yechida.

In normal times, the inner spark of the soul is not noticeable, and that’s why people can have a sense of independence and even arrogance. Only on rare occasions does the essence express itself—such as when our faith is attacked and we feel our connection to G-d is threatened. Then the Jew is awakened to connect with G-d, not to be separated from Him at all costs, even at the cost of his life. There is also one time of year when the essence of the soul is revealed—at the final Neilah prayer on Yom Kippur. This is the only day of the year that we pray five prayers, corresponding to the five levels of soul, with Neilah being the fifth and highest. When our Yechida is revealed, we feel an essential unity with G-d, without sensing our own identity at all.

The Jewish people as a whole are likened to a complete body, with each individual corresponding to a different limb. So, too, there are individuals corresponding to these five levels of soul. Moshiach is the power of Yechida. The Yechida within each of us is connected to the Yechida of Moshiach, which is why he is called the “general Yechida.”

In Moshiach, the unshakable unity with G-d is most expressed. His job as leader is to inspire the people and awaken in them their own Yechida, and thus to influence all of mankind, to bring them all to the ultimate unity with G-d.

 References: Likutei Torah Pinchas 86b. Shaarei Teshuvah Admur Haemtzai ch. 12. Sefer Hamaamarim 5699 p. 207. Sefer Maamarim Melukat vol. 1, p. 160. Hitvaaduyot 5746 vol. 2, p. 119. Likutei Sichot vol. 4 p. 134