I think everyone can agree that failed Geulah predictions are a good thing.
From my perspective, they are good because they are often put forth by fakers, very enthusiastic, persuasive and charismatic personalities who present themselves to the believing public as people with a spiritual connection and knowledge of events on high. These folks make other Jews superstitious, and lead them through darkness. (These fakers might even believe their own hype.) And when they make repeated failed Geulah predictions, there is a chance, remote though it may be, that the gullible followers might wake up.
From the perspective of others, this is a way of living in anticipation of mashiach. (I disagree with the interpretation of sources that leads to this erroneous take on tzipisa liyshua, and disagree that this is a positive, as it can prevent people from living their lives committed to the here and now in a Torah way.)
But here is another reason failed Geulah predictions are good, from the rav who put forth the commentary of Rabbenu Ephraim (h.t. yaak). A description of the text. He dates Rabbenu Ephraim to before the year 56 to the 6th millenium, since Rabbenu Ephraim puts forth a ketz for that year. And then, he notes that that ketz was not fulfilled. But even so, this is still a good thing, because it consoled the Jewish people during that time (presumably of the time before the predicted date, such that the people undergoing oppression had something to look forward to), and thus fulfilled basru meyom leyom yeshuaso. See the last three lines of the image below.
An interesting application of that phrase. See also Radak on that pasuk in a Mikraos Gedolos, but read it very carefully.
I wonder though if this singular prediction of geulah at a future date is to be compared to repeated failed Geulah predictions, by the same folks, every single year, where unfazed and unembarrassed by their error, they claim success and with just as much confidence in their ability to interpret holy kabbalistic texts, put forth their next interpretation for the same gullible public the following year.
From my perspective, they are good because they are often put forth by fakers, very enthusiastic, persuasive and charismatic personalities who present themselves to the believing public as people with a spiritual connection and knowledge of events on high. These folks make other Jews superstitious, and lead them through darkness. (These fakers might even believe their own hype.) And when they make repeated failed Geulah predictions, there is a chance, remote though it may be, that the gullible followers might wake up.
From the perspective of others, this is a way of living in anticipation of mashiach. (I disagree with the interpretation of sources that leads to this erroneous take on tzipisa liyshua, and disagree that this is a positive, as it can prevent people from living their lives committed to the here and now in a Torah way.)
But here is another reason failed Geulah predictions are good, from the rav who put forth the commentary of Rabbenu Ephraim (h.t. yaak). A description of the text. He dates Rabbenu Ephraim to before the year 56 to the 6th millenium, since Rabbenu Ephraim puts forth a ketz for that year. And then, he notes that that ketz was not fulfilled. But even so, this is still a good thing, because it consoled the Jewish people during that time (presumably of the time before the predicted date, such that the people undergoing oppression had something to look forward to), and thus fulfilled basru meyom leyom yeshuaso. See the last three lines of the image below.
An interesting application of that phrase. See also Radak on that pasuk in a Mikraos Gedolos, but read it very carefully.
I wonder though if this singular prediction of geulah at a future date is to be compared to repeated failed Geulah predictions, by the same folks, every single year, where unfazed and unembarrassed by their error, they claim success and with just as much confidence in their ability to interpret holy kabbalistic texts, put forth their next interpretation for the same gullible public the following year.
2 comments:
I wonder though if this singular prediction of geulah at a future date is to be compared to repeated failed Geulah predictions, by the same folks, every single year, where unfazed and unembarrassed by their error, they claim success and with just as much confidence in their ability to interpret holy kabbalistic texts, put forth their next interpretation for the same gullible public the following year.
You are correct to make a distinction between predictions of old and those of today. However, I see that you have a very basic misunderstanding of these predictions made nowadays. The one-time predictions made by Amora'im, Rishonim, and Aharonim were real possible Geula dates that didn't pan out due to our sins. On the other hand, the predictions made nowadays are not on that level, but are still warranted. As mentioned many times, these predictions are all hopefulness, but with the realization that it may or may not be true.
In fact, I am "predicting" that Mashiah will come today. When I say "predicting", I mean "hoping". And every day, I predict that he will come. In fact, some days, my "predictions" might even have a scriptural basis.
No one is unfazed or embarrassed by their error because it's just a support to a hope. Aderaba, if someone would be embarrassed by his error, that's when we'd have to worry. We'd have to worry because maybe such a person put all his eggs into that one basket and is now in despair and losing his faith. Not so with these predictions.
May those who like to hope, as I do, continue to inspire us and give us hope for a better tomorrow with the coming of Mashiah today, Amen.
"In fact, I am "predicting" that Mashiah will come today. "
but we already made the cholent! (see pesachim)
"No one is unfazed or embarrassed by their error because it's just a support to a hope."
if so, it is amazing how each of these mere 'supports to a hope' is then stubbornly kept as a success by followers, as they point to whatever random occurrence happened around that time as a definite stage in the geulah.
and it is amazing how people are so certain. when Nava of Dreaming of Mashiach moved to Israel, and warned people that this was there very last chance, because of a Meshuggenah who told her this, was it because of a mere 'support to a hope'? someone should have told her.
i guess i am not the only one with this very basic misunderstanding...
:)
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