Satmar rebbe: #64 al haGuela , the zionists don’t understand the prophets

Summary

This transcript explores the Jewish people's complex relationship with comfort and rebuke in the context of their historical suffering and redemption. It delves into the symbolic struggle between accepting comfort and rejecting it, represented as a woman personifying the Jewish people. The narrative reflects on how various prophetic figures offer comfort, only for the people to question their authenticity, influenced by past trauma. The speaker ties these themes to Zionism and the eventual arrival of the Messiah, highlighting the challenge of believing in redemption when past experiences have been distorted.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Jewish people, personified as a woman, are initially rejected and rebuked but later offered comfort, leading to questions about whether they can truly accept it.
• 😀 The 12 minor prophets try to comfort the Jewish people, but their offers are rejected because the people question the authenticity of the comfort versus the prior rebuke.
• 😀 Each prophet’s offer of comfort is met with skepticism, as the Jewish people wonder whether to believe the comforting words or the earlier negative ones.
• 😀 The Jewish people are depicted as not accepting comfort from the prophets, leading to their description as ‘poor storming’ people who reject consolation.
• 😀 The eventual comfort and redemption will only be accepted when the true time has come, despite the rejection by the Jewish people in earlier times.
• 😀 A comparison is drawn to a historical event in which a prophecy about food abundance was rejected, highlighting how disbelief in prophecy can lead to consequences.
• 😀 The Jewish people will eventually recognize the true time for redemption, but due to past traumas, they may remain hesitant to accept comfort from those who bring it.
• 😀 A key issue addressed is the contradiction between the rebuke and comfort in prophecy, with the people struggling to reconcile these two aspects.
• 😀 The script explores why the Jewish people may not accept the prophets’ words, despite knowing they are true, due to fears that the time for redemption is not yet right.
• 😀 The concept of Zionism complicates the issue, as some may misapply prophecies of redemption, causing a trauma that prevents acceptance of the true redemption when it arrives.
• 😀 The passage raises the theological question of why God would send comfort to people who are not ready to accept it, suggesting that there is deeper wisdom in the divine plan that will only become clear in time.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the script?

The central theme of the script is the Jewish people's struggle to accept comfort and redemption, especially in the context of their history of suffering and previous disappointments. It also explores the theological tension between prophecy, timing, and human disbelief.

Why are the Jewish people depicted as rejecting comfort in the script?

The Jewish people are depicted as rejecting comfort because of their past experiences with rebuke and punishment. They have endured hardship for so long that they are skeptical of any new promises of comfort, fearing they will be unfulfilled.

How does the script address the idea of timing in redemption?

The script discusses how the Jewish people struggle to believe in the coming of redemption because they are uncertain whether the time has truly arrived. The rejection of comfort is rooted in the fear that the moment of redemption is being prematurely claimed by others, particularly in relation to the Zionist movement.

What role does the concept of prophecy play in the script?

Prophecy plays a key role in the script, as various figures are sent to comfort the Jewish people. However, they are met with resistance because the people are not convinced that the time for redemption has arrived. This raises philosophical questions about the nature of prophecy and the belief in its fulfillment.

What story is referenced to highlight the skepticism of the Jewish people?

The script references the story of the four lepers outside the city of Samaria during a famine, where the prophecy of abundance was met with disbelief, even when the prophecy came true. This is used as a parallel to the Jewish people's struggle to believe in the fulfillment of promises, even when they are written in scripture.

What is the connection between Zionism and the rejection of redemption in the script?

The script suggests that the Zionist movement, which claims to be preparing the way for redemption, has left many Jews traumatized and skeptical. These Jews are cautious of accepting any claims of redemption due to past experiences of false or premature declarations.

Why doesn't God immediately provide the redemption, according to the script?

According to the script, God allows the process of comfort and prophecy to unfold despite knowing that it will be rejected initially. This is seen as part of a larger divine plan, with deeper theological mysteries and secrets that will be revealed only in the future.

What is the role of the prophets in the script?

The prophets are sent to comfort the Jewish people and offer messages of hope, yet they are met with disbelief. The script examines how these prophets, despite their divine messages, are unable to convince the people of the impending redemption due to the people's distrust and trauma.

What theological question does the script raise regarding the contradictions between rebuke and comfort?

The script raises the theological question of how the Jewish people can reconcile the contradictory messages of rebuke and comfort found in scripture. The people struggle with this paradox, not knowing whether to believe the promises of redemption or the past rebukes of punishment.

What does the script suggest about the future understanding of divine timing?

The script suggests that the full understanding of divine timing and the reasons behind the rejection of comfort will be revealed in the future. The answers to these difficult questions will be made clear in the world to come, when all secrets will be uncovered.