Reply To: Clarification to mod and DaMoshe

Yb,
“ 1] DID A JEWISH COMMUNITY ANYTIME , ANYWHERE HOLD ATSAROT FOR KABALAT PNEI MASHIACH ?”

Possibly not- the avoda throughout golus was focused on Avodas habirurim. Now this is our focus, as we’ve finished Avodas habirurim- hence the difference.

“2] DID A JEWISH COMMUNITY ANYTIME , ANYWHERE USE THE MEANS OF MASS ADVERTISING AVAILAIBLE TO THEM IN THEIR CONTEXT TO PROMOTE AN INDIVIDUAL AS MASHIACH ?”

Possibly. Rabbi Akiva promoted bar kochba. Shabtai tzvi was endorsed by many Rabbanim. How exactly they did so I don’t know since we don’t have media from then.

“3] DID A JEWISH COMMUNITY ANYTIME , ANYWHERE IN AN ORGANIZED FASHION LOOK FOR CANDIDATES FOR MASHIACH AND SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDE ON THE WINNER ,BASED ON POPULAR ACCLAIM ?”

No idea. Was Yinon shmo by his students, a way of promoting? And the other yeshivos as well? Or they all happened to promote the name of their Rebbi by coincidence? I don’t think it’s about a popularity contest btw. Rather, Moshiach belongs to all yidden so once his identity is revealed, we want to share how to bring about the full Geula by following his world view, with our fellow Jews. Many times the Moshiach campaign just means to educate people on what the era is about, and how to prepare, without focusing on a candidate.

“4] DID A JEWISH COMMUNITY ANYTIME , ANYWHERE PUBLICLY STATE DURING MANY DECADES THAT THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO CROWN THEIR OWN LEADER AS MASHIACH – ONLY TO WHEN CONVENIENT CHANGE COURSE AND PUBLICLY DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE ?”

There are still those who are living in the first half of the question… those who said it meant it at the time, and some still do.

“4] DID A JEWISH COMMUNITY ANYTIME , ANYWHERE PUBLICLY STATE DURING MANY YEARS THAT THAT THEIR LEADER CAN NOT DIE AND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE IKAREI EMUNA AND IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE – ONLY TO WHEN CONVENIENT CHANGE COURSE AND PUBLICLY PROCLAIM THE EXACT OPPOSITE ?”

Haven’t seen this anywhere- especially the way you worded it