Why Have Great Rabbis and Others Not Said the Same? (14 December 2015,2 tevet, 5776)
The Merriam Wbster Dictionary defines a 'dark horse' as:
# a usually little known contender (as a racehorse) that makes an unexpectedly good showing.
# b : an entrant in a contest that is judged unlikely to succeed.#
The first definition is the most commonly used one. It comes from the world of racing in which (at least the Urban Legends say) a well-known white horse whose name has been changed and who has been painted dark wins a race. His owners make a fortune by placing bets against all the odds since they are only ones who know his potential. From this the expression has come to mean someone or something that nobody expects much from but despite that is worth a lot.
We have an organization known as 'Brit-Am/Hebrew Nations'. Our purpose is to confirm research that the Lost Ten Tribes are in the west, to research it further, to spread knowledge of our findings, and to work towards the welfare and reunification of Judah (the Jews) and the Ten Tribes.
Others have held similar notions concerning the Ten Tribes being in the west. We however are unique in our use of Rabbinical sources alongside findings in relevant fields of secular research. Our references include older but valid sources that have been overlooked alongside the most recent researches.
A good few years ago, an acquaintance and supporter of Brit-Am, Azriel ben Moshe, approached a full-time researcher in Rabbinical Studies. He began to discuss Brit-Am findings. The researcher replied to the effect that if Brit-Am is correct why did not the late Lubavitcher Rabbi (i.e. Chabad) advocate them?
The intention may have been facetious and not necessarily meant to be taken seriously. Nevertheless, if not actually expressed, the sentiment intended may, in one variation or other, be commonly held. Since Brit-Am identifies the Lost Ten Tribes with specific peoples our beliefs are pertinent to understanding the Bible. The implications may do much to advancing the cause of belief in God and Scripture and bringing forward future redemption. All these issues should interest people in many fields. Rabbis and all they who take an interest in the Holy Texts should all want to know about what we teach. They should be striving to affirm it one way or other. They are not doing so but the time will come.
And how come we have the answers whereas they who are better than us do not?
One explanation could be that the findings that substantiate our claims needed someone with a certain attitude, circumstance, and background that suited us more than others.
This explanation may be easier to understand when seen in the light of the article below. Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler wrote of similar hypothetical situations in which they who are otherwise unworthy may yet achieve what others do not.
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler (1892 - 30 December 1953) was an Orthodox rabbi, Talmudic scholar, and Jewish philosopher He was the 'mashgiach ruchani' ("spiritual counselor") of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, in Israel. His writings were published posthumously by his pupils. His major work is 'MIktav Me-Eliyahu' which encompasses several volumes. This is available in English translation though the translated extract below is our own work. We have quoted from his works in the past.
The subject of the extract below from Rabbi Desler concerns individuals who become great through advocating a certain issue, or working for a needy cause that nobody else is applying themselves to. The people concerned may achieve great results even though they appear much less suited than many others. The article appears to describe two different types or two aspects of the same type. The first one is somebody who was qualified but would not have been considered the most promising candidate. He may have taken the equivalent of a qualifying cause but barely succeed in graduating from it. The second type was much less promising than the first one. He would have been judged by everyone else as the least likely to do anything worthwhile let alone the great things he does achieve. He gets to gain merit through achievement by seeing a need and working to fulfill it. He is the only one in the field in this particular matter. Divine Providence wants it to be done, and he therefore gets to do it.
Here are the words of Rabbi Desler.
The Chosen and the Choosers
by
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Desler,
# The Sages said,
(1)
# Yiftach [i.e. Jeftah, considered an ignorant person who was nevertheless appointed Chief Judge over all Israel] in his time was on a par in his era with Samuel [a great judge and inspired prophet] in his era.
# There may be a generation that deserves redemption but it lacks a great saint like Samuel was. There may be no prophet through whom salvation can come. In such a case someone may arise, to save the people, who has a little bit more merit than other candidates. Such a person could win all Glory and Entitlement accruing to being an instrument through whom God brings deliverance to Israel. He gains this position by dedicating himself to the general cause. A hairbreadth's difference may exist between himself and others who are also so disposed. He however receives the post in its entirety. At times he may well be the only one in his generation who feels a need to act in the required direction. In such a case the Almighty might choose him to bring the matter to fruition even though, apart from that, his qualifications are very meager. This is referred to in the exhortation to Gideon [the young prophet from Manasseh who apart from his will to stand up for Israel and love for the people had no previous experience or demonstrated aptitude]: 'Go in this your strength and deliver Israel' (Judges 6:14)}.
(2) # It happens that we palpably experience cases of lowly, wretched personages who succeed in attaching themselves to a great cause. They perform feats in their field that set them on top of the world. Without an iota of doubt such people are a credit to all Israel. They increase the value of us all and further the future coming of the Messiah, may he come quickly in our time. Doubtlessly the one who succeeds in attaching himself to such matters will be accredited to an inestimable degree in every way. And by what does he deserve all this? Was he not the least deserving of all those who could have championed the issue? How did all this glory fall to his lot? It was only because all the others did not understand the need for it. Since he was the only one who put himself forward on this issue he received all the reward. He fulfilled the exhortion of the Sages, "Where there are not any men, strive to be a man" (Avot, 2;5). When he so acts he, with the help of God obviously succeeds.#
Source:
Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Desler, 'Miktav me-Eliyahu', Jerusalem, 5732, volume 5, p.287, free translation by Yair Davidiy.