Avira,
“Not a kashya; the rambam lists every qualification before saying im lo hitzliach; it’s not repetitive at all“
I’m not sure what this has to do with what I just said. My comment was not on Im lo hitzliach but on the words “if he does this, and succeeds, and defends all the enemies which surround him” according to what was said each one of this list is referring to wars, which would indeed cause a repetition problem.
Frankly I don’t agree with ur assertion that things only got worse with the Lubavitcher rebbe. I think when more is factored in and considered the facts tell a much different story, but this is no different than peoples arguments on whether the economy is in good condition, some pick some criteria and some pick others or zoom into particular criteria and see a more positive note. But we disagree on far too much to bridge any gaps here outside of the point about the Ruzhiner and Baal Shem tov which I hope u will sit on.