Can Moshiach Lead Without Experience? | Classic Take S2: 45

Summary

In this episode of *Classic Take*, the discussion centers on whether the Messiah's lack of experience will be a problem in his leadership. Through stories and reflections on Jewish history, the speaker explains that while the Messiah may not have personal experience, he will embody divine qualities and benefit from the collective experience of the Jewish people. The episode draws parallels between Moses and the Messiah, emphasizing that the Messiah's arrival at the end of Jewish history will come with deep spiritual insight. Ultimately, the message encourages Jews to act in faith, trusting that even small actions today contribute to the coming of the Messiah.

Takeaways

• 😀 Messiah will arrive without prior experience in politics, economics, or education, but will possess divine qualities to fulfill his mission.
• 😀 The parable of the mountain illustrates that Messiah is born with innate spiritual qualities, not needing the long, personal struggle that others face in their spiritual journey.
• 😀 Messiah's lack of experience is not a limitation; rather, it reflects the divine preparation he receives, much like a child born on a mountain doesn't need to climb it.
• 😀 The Jewish people's journey through history has prepared them for the coming of the Messiah. Their struggles and internalizations over thousands of years create a foundation for his arrival.
• 😀 Moses, while the greatest Jewish leader, led a generation at the beginning of the Jewish journey. Messiah, in contrast, will arrive at the end of the journey, after generations have internalized the teachings of the Torah.
• 😀 Each Jewish exile has unique challenges, but they ultimately refine the Jewish people. The exile has led to the elevation of the world and an understanding that Torah and mitzvot are the foundation of Jewish survival.
• 😀 The Jewish people, through their experience with various philosophies and external pressures, have come to realize that only their connection to God through Torah has kept them intact through history.
• 😀 At the end of the exile, the Jewish people will recognize the futility of other philosophies and will return to God, embracing the mitzvot as the true path to redemption.
• 😀 Messiah’s arrival will be a time when the Jewish people, having lived through countless ideological shifts, will have the experience to immediately recognize the truth of the divine path.
• 😀 The idea of waiting for perfect knowledge before acting is challenged. Actions taken without experience can be more potent, as they come from a place of fresh, unburdened enthusiasm.
• 😀 Each small action taken today, though seemingly minor, carries the weight of thousands of years of Jewish history and experience, contributing to the arrival of Messiah and the end of the exile.

Q & A

Why is the lack of experience of the Messiah considered a problem?

The lack of experience is questioned because the Messiah is expected to suddenly arrive without any prior experience in politics, economics, or education, and yet is expected to change the world. The question raised is how someone without such experience could achieve such monumental tasks.

What is the significance of the story about the young Jewish leader?

The story illustrates that some individuals are born with unique, divinely inspired qualities that allow them to achieve great things without having gone through the typical struggles and experiences. This parallels the idea that the Messiah will come with inherent qualities that will enable him to fulfill his mission.

How does the story about the child on top of the mountain relate to the Messiah?

The story demonstrates that some souls, like the Messiah's, come from a higher plane and do not need to undergo the same hardships or experiences that others do. Just as the child was born on the mountain and didn’t have to climb it, the Messiah’s divine nature allows him to fulfill his mission without needing the same life experiences.

What is the comparison made between the Messiah and Moses in the script?

The script compares Moses, who led the Jewish people out of Egypt and gave them the Torah, with the Messiah, stating that while Moses was a great leader, he lacked experience. Moses provided the foundational teachings but did not experience the struggles and challenges that the Jewish people would later face, which will give the Messiah a different kind of wisdom.

Why is the Messiah said to have more experience than Moses?

The Messiah is said to have more experience than Moses because he will come at the end of Jewish history, after the Jewish people have gone through many trials and challenges. This accumulated experience of the Jewish people through exile and suffering will serve as the foundation for the Messiah’s leadership.

What does the script say about the internalization of the Torah?

The script highlights that the Torah given by Moses was initially theoretical, and it was only through the experiences, challenges, and failures of the Jewish people that they were able to internalize it. This internalization is seen as the real experience, as it involves living by the Torah despite the struggles and setbacks.

What is the significance of the exile in the script?

The exile is described as a period of refining, where the Jewish people were scattered around the world, facing different challenges in various cultures and societies. Each exile represents a spiritual test and opportunity to elevate different aspects of the world by maintaining their faith in God and His commandments.

How does the script explain the Jewish people’s survival through history?

The script asserts that the Jewish people’s survival through history is due to their commitment to God and adherence to the Torah, despite the many challenges, philosophies, and cultures they encountered. The continuity of their faith is what allowed them to remain united and eternal, even when other nations and philosophies disappeared.

What does the script say about the Jewish people’s return to God in the end of exile?

The script explains that at the end of exile, the Jewish people will recognize that all other attempts to adapt to foreign philosophies or lifestyles have failed. This realization will lead to a collective return to God and the Torah, which have withstood the test of time and have been the true source of their survival and identity.

What is the message about the Messiah’s inexperience and how does it relate to action?

The script suggests that the Messiah's lack of personal experience could be seen as an advantage. It encourages people not to wait for perfect preparation or knowledge before taking action in doing good deeds. Acting impulsively, driven by faith and commitment, can lead to greater outcomes, as sometimes inexperience allows one to act with fresh, uninhibited energy.