Chutzpa Increases Before Moshiach, and more prophetic teachings>
Such as corrupted leaders, rabbis, and masses who behave like dogs..
Good news: If you use Internet Rimon and were previously unable to access my videos on Rumble, you should be able to now.
Part 3 of my series on the prophetic teachings of Rav Elchonon Wasserman is now available on Rumble here.
Part 4 is embedded above and on Rumble here:
Summary of key topics:
* The rich sheep who trample on the poor sheep, with spite
* The scattering of the nuclear family
* A world and a society filled with anger
* The face of the generation is like the face of a dog — explanations from Rav Yisrael Salanter and the Chofetz Chaim
* An increase in chutzpah before Moshiach comes — two explanations
In March of 2020, I started a new series of articles via my email list, hundreds of which are archived on my site under the label The Redemption Process (the hundreds more emails with mostly shorter items and commentary are generally excluded).
One of the first articles I wrote at the time is called “Chutzpa Increases Before Moshiach”. I referenced it in the class last night, and have copied it below.
Several people have reported difficulty accessing “Epoch of the Messiah”, the English translation of the essay by Rav Wasserman that we are studying. I’ve made the file available here and below.
Chutzpa Increases Before Moshiach
March 18, 2020
Chazal provided us with numerous signs of the imminent coming of Moshiach. Many of them are open to interpretation, of course, but as we draw ever closer and things start coming together, we can better understand some of these signs.
One of the more commonly referenced signs comes Sotah 49b, which states: “Right before Moshiach comes there will be an increase in chutzpah."
I imagine that in every generation for thousands of years, the old-timers and schoolteachers looked at the younger generation and said, “There you go. Moshiach is definitely right around the corner.”
The Mishna is not referring to typical disrespect, but an extraordinary increase. Later in the Mishna (or Beraysa) we are told that young fools will shame the elders, elders will stand out of respect for small people, sons will disgrace their fathers, daughters will rise up against their mothers, and brides against their mothers-in-law. In general there will be a breakdown in traditional norms of propriety.
While there have certainly been outbreaks of chutzpah throughout the generations — and surely there were other opportune times for Moshiach to come — I don't believe we have ever seen these words fulfilled as they are today. The Mishna is not referring to the chutzpah of a misbehaving child or student; that is entirely ordinary, and is part of the disciplinary process through which most people mature and learn to function in society.
What we have witnessed in our generation is a widespread societal contempt for the wisdom of the elderly and previous generations. All around the world we see college students, teenagers, and even young children preaching to the world about morals, enlightened thought, and proper behavior. Such people, who lack real knowledge and life experience, used to be referred to as pishers, nobodies. Now they are world leaders and social justice warriors. They make a name for themselves denigrating their seniors, and revile the moral boundaries of those who came before them as “primitive”.
Social media has created an entire culture — even an industry — of snarkiness, where seniority and experience are shown no favor. On the contrary, brazen young people relish the opportunity to tear down one of the “old guard” who dares stand up for wisdom and values of an earlier time. It is like an initiation rite into a sorority or gang, to trample on those who came before them.
This is not something we have seen before, certainly not on such a level.
Even in the Jewish community we find that many shuls search specifically for a young rabbi. They want someone “charismatic” who can “connect” to young couples and children. I am all in favor of charisma and being able to relate to all kinds of people. In our generation, however, we often find that youth is not only a search criteria, but even a deal-breaker. I would hire a physically feeble Chofetz Chaim over a vibrant neophyte for any shul, large or small, regardless of the demographic.
The purpose of a Rav is to guide his flock and raise them higher, to connect them to previous generations, not to be their buddy or camp counselor. For that, wisdom and experience are indispensable, even at the expense of being able to join them on the basketball court. Nowadays many congregations prefer a rabbi who will lower himself to their level rather than raising them up to his.
In many secular, self-proclaimed enlightened parts of the world, there is a total loss of respect for seniors. They are viewed as a burden on society, a drain on the economy, worthless relics who should not receive life-saving medical care in the event that they need it. I am not a historian, but this is a relatively new phenomenon, and it has really taken root in much of Europe and North America.
It is one of the many signs that Moshiach is on the way, who, among other things, will redeem us from this abysmal darkness. May it be speedily and may God watch over us during these turbulent times.
I don’t often write about the shidduch world anymore because I’ve thoroughly covered what’s wrong and what needs to be done to fix it, from a practical, Torah perspective, like no one else in our generation has done.
I also have proof of concept from years of work with EndTheMadness (check out the archived site) and about 100 events, which were very successful by any objective standard, and far superior to the usual offerings to singles. There is no magic bullet that will solve every individual’s plight, but on the societal level I have a better way and it works, without causing needless collateral damage.
My book EndTheMadness Guide to the Shidduch World is my magnum opus on the subject, and there’s nothing else like it on the bookstore shelf. (Buy it.) My numerous articles on the subject are also available for free on chananyaweissman.com in the section called The Shidduch World. (Read them.)
However, there’s always more to say, and there is a new generation of brain-damaged victims who need to be properly educated and, hopefully, rehabilitated.
In honor of Tu B’Av I’ve been wanting to write or speak about some recent shenanigans in the shidduch world, but couldn’t find a good time with all the new classes. Wednesdays at 4 PM Israel time is my regular weekly Torah class. This week we will learn some critical insights about what’s wrong about the shidduch world from a hint in a single word in this week’s parsha, and segue from there to more general remarks.
If you want me to respond to specific questions on this topic, this is a great opportunity to join the live class and ask them. The link to join the program is here.
If there is interest, I am happy to speak more about the topic, online or in person (no charge), and share a proper Torah perspective that is far too rare.
My books EndTheMadness Guide to the Shidduch World and How to Not Get Married: Break these rules and you have a chance are available on Amazon and directly from me in Israel.
Visit chananyaweissman.com for the mother lode of articles and books.
Visit rumble.com/c/c-782463 for my Torah classes, Amalek and Erev Rav programs, and much more.
Buy my books on Amazon here or contact me directly to purchase in Israel.
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