The Rav zt”l said it the the best when he decided to leave the Agudah and join the Mizrachi. He said that gedolim of the Agudah repreented the glorious but fading Jewish past. The Mizrachi represented the Jewish future. My take on his words is as follows: Indeed in those days the great rabbis were part of the mature and aged past. But every era has its apotheosis and then its inevitable decline into obscurity. Those great and venerable rabbanim who opposed the clear manifestation of our future as a people did so becuase they were mired in the old ways. Indeed precisely becuase the Mizrachi was in its infancy and is still but a “babe in arms” as far as Jewish history goes, it cannot boast a roster of rabbinic greats among its ranks. But like every promising young child it’s potential is manifest to all who are willing to consider it. The Rav zt”l was such a person. He saw the future and alligned himself with it. History has shown that pioneers were always ridiculed and even vilified in their days. But eventually their views came to be conventional wisdom, and their clairvoyance the stuff of legends. I only pray that i live long enough to see that happen to the Rav and those who walked with him.
Menu