Reply To: How long do we hold on?

I asked this very question to my Rebbi when I was a Bachur, when we were Davening for R’ Shach. He explained that the very existence of a Gadol in our physical world protects the Dor (Presumably the Gadol himself would want to be here for this same reason!). I have heard this concept many times since, and as has been mentioned already, it is Mefurash in many Gemaros. I so not understand what this Rav said at all.